EuroLat: bilateral cooperation essential to defend the international order

The defence of multilateralism and basic rights must be the priority of EU-Latin American cooperation, according to the co-chairs of the EuroLat Parliamentary Assembly.

During the inauguration in Brussels of the meeting of the standing committees of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly, Javi López MEP (S&D, Spain), president of the European component, highlighted the “good relations” between the two regions in “human, economic and political” terms and defended the bilateral alliance as necessary for the “reconstruction of multilateralism, based on respect for sovereignty with basic rights such as democracy and human rights”.

Lopez also called for Latin America’s role in a common agenda with the EU on several issues: “global health, climate change, gender equality, fair trade, in having open societies that are capable of providing solutions to the major crises facing the planet”.

The president of the Latin American component of the assembly, Colombian congressman Óscar Darío Pérez, also made clear the assembly’s firm support for the defence of international order in the context of the invasion of Ukraine: “Our democratic and peace-building vocation imposes on us the challenge of condemning all invasions, […] as well as condemning all violations of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states”.Pérez also stressed that bi-regional integration should “prioritise cooperation mechanisms” so that social policy is “inclusive, overcomes the welfare approach, and is oriented towards generating sustainable results in terms of poverty and social mobility”.

In his opening speech, the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, said that the current turbulent geopolitical context – marked by the war in Ukraine – obliges Europe and Latin America to strengthen their relationship: “we need each other”, he stressed. Borrell stressed that the relationship has solid foundations, which must continue to be promoted on a political and economic-trade level, but also through a common strategy against climate change and the digital transition, and without neglecting social cohesion.

Borrell also referred to the promotion of democracy and human rights, and advanced the possibility of reviewing EU sanctions against the Venezuelan regime if there is progress in the negotiations underway between the government and the opposition. He also expressed support for the peace talks undertaken by the government of Gustavo Petro with the ELN guerrillas. Finally, he called for the release of political prisoners in Nicaragua and reiterated that political dialogue is essential to resolve the crisis in the country.

Ministers and Vice-Ministers from seven Latin American countries set up the Latin American Internal Security Committee

The Czech Ambassador to the EU, Edita Hrdá, representing the Presidency of the Council, and the President of the Colombian Senate, Roy Barreras, also took part in the inauguration. You can see all the full speeches here.

EuroLat meeting agenda

The work of the assembly’s standing committees will continue tomorrow and Friday. Four reports are scheduled to be voted on, as well as a meeting with civil society representatives and a women’s forum. Here you will find more information on the topics under discussion, as well as the full agenda and links to follow the sessions. EP President Roberta Metsola will address the assembly tomorrow (Thursday) at 16.45 CET.

Co-Presidents’ press conference

EuroLat Co-Presidents Javi López and Óscar Darío López will hold a press conference tomorrow Thursday 1 December at 12.00 CET in the Anna Politkovskaya Room (Spaak 0A50) of the European Parliament in Brussels. Find out all the details and how to follow the press conference.

Source: Press release – European Parliament