22/08/2019
The European Commission and FIIAPP are working together to strengthen the existing birregional relationships on cooperation
Jolita Butkeviciene and her team during their visit to FIIAPP's headquarters
FIIAPP is a committed development partner for Latin American countries, the Foundation being a key actor in Spanish cooperation that is integrated into the European international cooperation system.
In this regard, cooperation between the European Union and Latin America has embraced the 2030 Agenda and reinforced biregional cooperation. This joint work has focused on various areas including: climate change, environment, security, rule of law, drugs, as well as governance and social cohesion.
The Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO) is mandated to put the European development cooperation policies into practice, in the framework of the European External Action. It’s role in the design and implementation of EU international cooperation programmes is, hence, of utter importance.
“We seek joint answers or solutions and will work on issues where we have shared values or interests,” said Jolita Butkeviciene, Director of Development and Cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean in DGDEVCO during a recent visit to FIIAPP.
The European Union has changed its approach towards cooperation with Latin America. The development in transition concept involves “adapting to the needs of each country”. In this sense, Ms. Butkeviciene pointed out that “FIIAPP is a unique partner” since it has “the capacity to adapt to the needs and priorities of each Latin American country”.
Furthermore, the director of the FIIAPP, Anna Terrón, reminded us that “it is vital for us cooperation agencies to highlight the value of our experience and build, alongside the European Commission, a cooperation system based on peer-to-peer learning and goals of the development agenda.
