More than 30 Latin American and Caribbean countries are gathered in Brussels for the second day of the EU-CELAC summit where, for the first time in eight years, these countries will meet each other and the 27 EU leaders. According to European journalist Stefan de Vries, the EU is trying to strengthen cooperation with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. “Of course the geopolitical agenda plays in the background”.
Several things play a role at the top. In addition to improving economic relations with countries on the resource-rich continent, the EU wants to counterbalance China’s growing influence. After all, Beijing is working hard to gain a foothold in Latin America, just like in Africa. The EU is also trying to bring South America into its own camp regarding the war in Ukraine. “There was immediate disagreement about this,” says De Vries.
Ukraine
Because where the EU demands a tougher attitude towards Moscow from the Latin American countries, the latter group wants to stay out of the conflict. Brazil, for example, explicitly follows a neural course, while countries like Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua are simply pro-Kremlin.
The South American continent not only has a great ecological diversity to which Europe attaches great value, but it is also a continent very rich in resources. De Vries calls it the new arena where the EU and other power blocs meet. ‘There are many raw materials in Latin America that are needed for the energy transition. Of course, Europe also wants to be part of it, there are many interests at stake».
Global gateway
Until 2027, Europe wants to invest 45 billion euros in the continent, in particular in the context of the Global Gateway, a European Union program to improve and partially finance infrastructure in the world. Soft power, De Vries calls it, a sort of counterpart to the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, the new Chinese silk road that should connect China, Central Asia and Europe.
Mercosur
But perhaps most importantly, the EU would like to strike a blow at Mercosur (Mercado Común del Sur, ed), the customs union between Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela with which the EU wanted to conclude a treaty for 20 years. But this will not take off. It won’t be like this at this summit either, De Vries estimates. “It will be part of the corridor conversations. It’s also a goal to get those negotiations running smoothly again. The Mercosur trading bloc accounts for nearly 150 billion in trade with the European Union.’
The Netherlands also has a specific interest in improving relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries. De Vries points out that the Netherlands borders a country like Venezuela directly through the Antilles and Curaçao. “The fight against drug trafficking is also on the agenda”.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
