The EU heads of state and government convened in Brussels for a summit meeting with their counterparts from the 33 countries of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). One important outcome was the agreement to collaborate in this format on a permanent biennial basis.

Collaboration in the fight against climate change and the establishment of resilient economic relations

The EU and the Latin American and Caribbean states wish to collaborate on issues such as climate change, biodiversity, and technological change. It should be possible, Scholz said after the summit, to develop "a new view", particularly in the field of international trade policy adding that trade and economic relations must be put on a more resilient footing. The production of fertilisers, he said, should be expanded to other states. Going forward, the plan is for at least the first processing stage in the extraction of raw materials to take place in those countries in which the materials are extracted, the idea being to increase prosperity in a way that improves the lives of local people whilst minimising environmental damage. The Federal Chancellor said that this was "a modern step, which would benefit all parties involved".

Expanding trade relations

In terms of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) Treaty, the Federal Chancellor expressed his conviction that "a lot of momentum has now been initiated" and that hopes were high that a result would soon be achieved.

Most importantly, the summit provided an excellent opportunity for all parties to engage in bilateral discussions. This gave the Federal Chancellor the opportunity to pick up on earlier discussions held during his visit to Latin America. The EU took the opportunity to sign bilateral agreements with Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. 

The CELAC (Spanish: Comunidad de Estados Latinoamericanos y Caribeños) is a regional federation of 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries. The community's aim is to unite these countries with a view to advancing political dialogue as well as social and cultural integration in the region in order to improve quality of life, stimulate economic growth, and promote general well-being.

Global Gateway investment agenda adopted

Another successful outcome was the adoption of the Global Gateway investment agenda, which includes over 130 sustainable and fair projects pertaining, for example, to the production of green hydrogen, the renewal of electricity grids, and the expansion of digital connectivity. To achieve this, the various EU institutions and EU member states plan to invest more than €45 billion in Latin America and the Caribbean between now and 2027. The agenda serves as a good basis for further dialogue with our Latin American and Caribbean partners.

The Russian offensive has repercussions for the entire world

"Russia has invaded Ukraine," said Scholz ahead of the summit. This offensive, he said, had "repercussions for the entire world". Many countries in South America were also suffering from higher prices or food security issues, for example. As the Federal Chancellor said after the summit, it was good that the participants were able to agree on positions that had already been very clearly defined in the UN General Assembly, namely that "this war of aggression is exactly that".

The Federal Chancellor referred to the fact that Russia is unwilling to extend the agreement on grain deliveries via the Black Sea as "an ominous sign". What it shows, he said, was that "Russia felt no responsibility for a peaceful coexistence around the world". Russia, the Federal Chancellor said, was revealing more and more that it had an "imperial interest in this war, that everything else are merely untruths, and that Russia is not defending itself against anything, but that the country has simply invaded its neighbour".

The summits between the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States are the primary forum for dialogue and collaboration between the EU and the Latin American and Caribbean countries. The most recent summit was attended by numerous heads of state and government of the 33 members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the 27 EU member states and was co-chaired by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in his capacity as President of the CELAC. The summit was also attended by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, and Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.