16/12/2020
Foreign ministers from European Union, Latin American and Caribbean countries have met with the aim of intensifying the dialogue between the two regions
Berlin has hosted this ministerial meeting, organised by the German minister of foreign affairs and chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrel, who have met with their counterparts from other countries in the European Union (EU) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
The foreign affairs ministers sent a signal of solidarity and showed the importance of the countries in both regions working together on common interests and shared values such as democracy, sustainable development, human rights and the rule of law.
In addition, they expressed their conviction that international cooperation offers much to gain, since it enables an interconnected world, and they reaffirmed their commitment to work together to achieve more democratic, prosperous, cohesive and inclusive societies. And on the subject of cooperation, they highlighted that multilateral cooperation is not an option, but a necessity for a more equal, resilient and sustainable world, strengthening the participation of women in all areas.
COVID-19 affects the whole world, but with disproportionately greater effects in low- and middle-income countries and groups of people, as well as those in vulnerable situations, the elderly, minorities and indigenous communities. The pandemic further widens the existing structural gaps, inequalities, social and economic exclusion of these groups.
The ministers affirmed they will intensify joint efforts to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic, and stressed the need to ensure a strong and sustainable recovery and to build more inclusive economies and societies.
In this context, they recognised the contribution of the EUROsociAL+ programme to social cohesion, which is so important and necessary for “rebuilding better” in accordance with the 2030 Agenda and the achievement of its Sustainable Development Goals. EUROsociAL+ is funded by the European Union and run by FIIAPP.
And they could not forget contributions to climate change, so they recognised the importance of adopting measures that facilitate low-carbon develop. An economic transformation must be promoted that aims at carbon neutrality and allows compliance with international commitments.
In this area, the ministers welcomed the support of the European Union through initiatives such as the EUROCLIMA+ programme, which FIIAPP is jointly managing as it is leading its climate governance component.
It is important that the two regions, the EU and LAC, continue to cooperate to help shape the global rules. They also highlighted the strategic importance of strengthening bi-regional cooperation mechanisms to promote development. This work relies on the commitment of the European Union through its different international cooperation instruments.
