2023-07-17 18:35:00
Why is the EU-Latin America Summit taking place now? The Russian attack on Ukraine and the increasingly cold relationship with China are sharpening Europe’s view of other regions of the world. For the first time in eight years, the states of the EU and the states of the so-called Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) are meeting again for a summit. In the future, the meetings are to be held more frequently – every two years.
What are the more than 50 heads of state and government talking about? One of the topics is the war in Ukraine. There are sometimes major differences between the countries of the EU and Latin American countries. The authoritarian states of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua openly support Russia. Countries like Mexico, Argentina and Brazil condemn Russia but reject tough sanctions.
The free trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur states Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay has been on the agenda for years. This will also be discussed at the summit. But even if it is currently the most important political issue between the EU and Latin America, no breakthrough can be expected at the summit. Such an agreement would, among other things, eliminate tariffs on agricultural products such as beef and soybeans.
What is the status of the EU-Mercosur agreement? The agreement has actually been negotiated since 2019. However, various EU countries do not want to ratify it. Some aspects of climate and environmental protection, such as the protection of the rainforest in the Amazon, are given too little consideration. Other countries fear that European agriculture could come under pressure from imports from South America, such as beef. Environmental protection organizations and agricultural associations are also opposed to the agreement. The EU Commission now wants to update the agreement.
Can an agreement on the EU-Mercosur agreement be expected soon? The declared goal of the EU Commission and the Spanish EU Council Presidency is to negotiate an updated agreement by the end of the year. However, it seems completely open whether this will succeed. Brazilian President Lula recently called for stronger protection for smaller Brazilian companies. In the EU, France and Austria, for example, are still critical of an agreement. Various environmental organizations and agricultural associations also oppose an updated version of a free trade agreement. Difficult negotiations are therefore foreseeable.
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