Economic Relations between the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean

 By Luis Fierro Carrion (*)

Twitter: @Luis_Fierro_C

The economic and political relations between the European Union (EU) and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have been strengthening in recent decades, although with less momentum in recent years (given the increase in trade between LAC and China).

I wrote a Policy Brief on the “Economic Relations between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean” for the EU-LAC Foundation and the Institut des Amériques, published at the end of April, and available at: https:/ /eulacfoundation.org/ 

The signing of association agreements between the EU and most LAC countries has led to an increase in foreign trade between the two regions, while the EU has remained the main source of foreign direct investment in LAC. Investment by LAC companies in EU countries has also increased. The trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur, the largest market in LAC, is however still pending ratification.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the growing impacts of climate change have given renewed impetus to the need for close collaboration between the two regions. The EU and its Member States have provided €3 billion in health aid to LAC. The EU exported more than 130 million doses of vaccines to LAC countries, and is one of the main contributors to the COVAX facility, which delivered more than 50 million additional doses to the region. EU Member States have donated 10 million doses.

Regarding climate change, the two regions have been closely aligned since the negotiation of the Paris Climate Change Agreement at COP21 (December 2015). Europe has prioritized the ecological transition, digital transformation and sustainable development in its regional and bilateral cooperation programs, and LAC countries are receptive to the means of implementation (climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building) to promote mitigation and adaptation to climate change. The two regions are perhaps the ones that have given the greatest support to the implementation of the Paris Agreement, together with groups of countries such as the small island states (SIDS) and the least developed countries (LDC).

€3.4 billion will be made available to LAC under the multi-year programme (2021-27) of NDICI-Global Europe, to support a sustainable and green recovery. In addition, the EU will mobilize more than €12 billion of public and private investment in the region through the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+).

The EU Regional Multiannual Indicative Program for LAC (2021-27) will support the green transition, digital transformation, sustainable and inclusive economy, democratic governance, security and migration, as well as social cohesion and the fight against inequalities. Human development and education will likewise feature prominently.

Achieving greater growth, stability and security in LAC countries makes them more attractive markets for EU companies, both for commercial and investment purposes, which is why it is a mutually beneficial relationship.

(*) Column published on May 21 by the newspaper "El Universo" in Ecuador.

https://www.eluniverso.com/opinion/columnistas/relaciones-con-la-union-europea-nota/