EUR-Lex Access to European Union law
This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Closer partnership between the EU and Latin America 1996-2000
1) OBJECTIVE
To present the elements of a strategy for deepening relations between the European Union and Latin America by the year 2000 on the basis of an analysis of current relations between the two regions and an assessment of the cooperation between 1991 and 1995.
2) ACT
Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament of 23 October 1995 'The European Union and Latin America - the present situation and prospects for closer partnership 1996-2000' [COM(95)495 - Not published in the Official Journal].
3) SUMMARY
The Commission highlights first and foremost the strategic interest of stronger ties between the European Union and Latin America, particularly taking account of the historical and cultural factors as a basis for convergence between the two regions, the favourable political climate (return to peace and consolidation of the rule of law and democracy in Latin America), the improvement in the macroeconomic situation of the Latin American countries, which creates favourable conditions for development and growth, and the development of regional integration in Latin America.
Analysing the relations between the European Union and Latin America since 1990, the Commission emphasises that this region has become the most dynamic market for European exports. In addition, political dialogue between the regions has progressed considerably. Institutionalised dialogue has been stepped up within the framework of the San José dialogue and with the Rio Group. The increase in the number of interparliamentary meetings and the conclusion of cooperation agreements incorporating the democratic clause are further examples of the substantial progress made in the political dialogue between the EU and Latin America.
Moreover, the EU is the largest source of official development assistance to Latin America, thanks, in particular, to its financial and technical assistance and economic cooperation. The Union is also one of the main sources of foreign direct investment in the region.
In its relations with Latin America, the EU intends to develop a regional and specific approach with each of the sub-regions, such as Mercosur, the Andean Group and Central America, and with Mexico, Chile and Cuba.
As a privileged partner of Latin America, the European Union must deepen its relations with that region, with a view in particular to helping it to tackle the challenges it faces:
As a result, the Commission suggests a strategy to deepen EU-Latin American relations at political and economic level which takes into account the diversity and heterogeneity of the South American subcontinent.
The Commission proposes tightening political ties with a view, in particular, to enhancing political dialogue at subcontinental (Rio Group), regional (Mercosur, Central America, Andean Pact) and bilateral level, under the country-based approach. This dialogue covers various topics, including:
In addition to the strictly bilateral questions, political dialogue also aims to ensure increasing involvement of Latin America in the running of international affairs and could look at other issues such as the development of inter-American relations and the challenges connected with environmental protection.
One of the priority topics for the countries of Latin America is strengthening economic integration and free trade. Indeed, thanks to its own unique experience in this field, the EU provides institutional support for the region's integration process and promotes the reinforcement of the subcontinent's trading, economic and technological capacities while guaranteeing social cohesion and sustainable development.
For this strategy to succeed, the Commission proposes the establishment of more relevant cooperation that is better targeted, more innovative and more flexible. This cooperation must concentrate on three specific priorities:
These cooperation priorities are accompanied by three horizontal themes of mutual interest:
With regard to managing this cooperation, special attention is paid to improving the process of programming bilateral and regional cooperation. The Commission thus recommends regular updating of the strategic guidelines for each country. In addition, sectoral guidelines will be systematically drawn up setting out the most appropriate ways of dealing with the priorities and horizontal issues.
To ensure that Community action is as effective as possible, complementarity and cofinancing with the Latin American countries and the Member States as well as with other international donors must be sought. Priority must also be given to ensuring greater coordination of the Community's efforts with those of its Member States.
Decentralised cooperation must be encouraged in order to promote the participation of civil society in the EU and in Latin America in the development cooperation process. In addition, efforts must be made to implement, in addition to one-off projects, horizontal multiannual programmes along the lines of the ALFA, AL-Invest and ALURE programmes so as to ensure greater visibility for the Community.
Finally, the Commission stresses the need for greater familiarity and mutual understanding between Europe and Latin America in order to facilitate cooperation.
4) implementing measures
5) follow-up work
Last updated: 05.08.2002