Highlights of the second EU-CELAC summit on 10-11 June 2015
EU-CELAC summits bring together European, Latin American and Caribbean leaders to strengthen relations between both regions. These summits are the main fora for dialogue and cooperation between Europe, and Latin American and Caribbean states.
The second EU-CELAC / 8th EU-LAC summit was held in Brussels on 10-11 June 2015 under the theme: "Shaping our common future: working for prosperous, cohesive and sustainable societies for our citizens".
Two declarations were adopted :
- a shorter political declaration: "A partnership for the next generation"
- a second covering the several strands of the relationship "Brussels declaration"
- Political declaration, EU-CELAC summit, 10-11 juin 2015
- Brussels declaration, EU-CELAC summit, 10-11 June 2015
An updated and expanded action plan between the two regions was also adopted.
EU-CELAC
- Europe, Latin American and Caribbean countries are home to more than one billion people
- 61 countries and the EU institutions are represented at the summit
- EU-CELAC summits gather one third of the UN members and almost half of the G20 members
- the EU is the first foreign investor in the CELAC region
- the EU is CELAC's second trade partner
Debates during the summit focused on bi-regional and global issues. It was the occasion to underline the importance of EU-CELAC cooperation and to re-invigorate the relationship in a complex, rapidly changing world.
Strenghtened political dialogue
The summit called for the establishment of a more regular high-level political dialogue at foreign affairs ministerial level and for a reinforcement of the cooperation on peace and security issues.
In view of the upcoming international conferences, leaders agreed to step up cooperation on three major global issues:
- climate change
- post-2015 development agenda
- the fight against drugs
Completing and modernising economic ties
EU agreements already in place with Mexico and Chile will be modernised. The EU and Mercosur remain committed to complete a balanced, comprehensive and ambitious Association Agreement as soon as possible.
A new type and a new focus of cooperation
The summit was also an opportunity to deepen political dialogue on citizen-oriented initiatives in terms of innovation for sustainable growth, education, security, and climate change.
The EU-CELAC action plan was expanded with the addition of chapters on higher education and citizen security. The EU is also discussing proposed lines of action of the EU strategy on citizen security in Central America and the Caribbean:
An EU contribution (EUR 25 million) to the enhancement of broadband trans-Atlantic connectivity between Latin America and EU through a direct new fibre-optic cable was also announced.
Background
2013 EU-CELAC summit
The first EU-CELAC / 7th EU-LAC summit took place in Santiago (Chile) on 26-27 January 2013, focusing on trade collaboration and the promotion of investments of social and environmental quality.
At the summit in Santiago, leaders adopted a joint political declaration and expanded the action plan for bi-regional cooperation:
- Santiago declaration following the first EU-CELAC summit on 26-27 January 2013
- EU-CELAC action plan 2013-2015
- Remarks by President of the European Council at the press conference of the EU-CELAC Summit in Santiago, 27 January 2013
Programme
11/06/2015
EU-CARIFORUM - forum of the Caribbean countries high level meeting
EU-SICA (Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana - Central American Integration System) high level meeting
Final press conference
Retreat session under the theme of "Dialogue on international issues and developments"
10/06/2015
Highlights of the second working session of the EU-CELAC summit on global challenges
Second working session on "Facing together global challenges"
During the second discussion session of the EU-CELAC summit, the leaders talked about the different challenges that EU and CELAC countries face and the cooperation among the 2 regions in terms of fight against climate change, security, fight against drug trafficking and the post-2015 development agenda.
Highlights of the trade and education partnership between the EU and CELAC countries
First working session on "Reinvigorating the bi-regional partnership"
During the first discussion session of the EU-CELAC Summit, leaders talked about ways to reinvigorate the bi-regional partnership between both regions.
2015 EU-CELAC summit opening ceremony
Opening ceremony
Related organisation
The summit initiated the agreement establishing the EU-LAC Foundation (aimed at involving more the civil societies in the EU-CELAC partnership) as an international organisation.
Preparatory events in 2015
10/06/2015
EU-CELAC business summit, 10 June 2015
08/06/2015
EU-CELAC academic summit, 8-9 June 2015
04/06/2015
Panel debate on urban development and public space, 4 June 2015
BOZAR, More Europe and the EU-LAC Foundation jointly organise a panel debate on 'Culture as a driver for cities'. The discussion will follow a one-day expert roundtable with participants from Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.
03/06/2015
Euro-Latin American parliamentary assembly (EUROLAT), 3-5 June 2015
09/04/2015
CELAC-EU youth days, 9-10 April
19/03/2015
11/03/2015
8th meeting of European Union-Latin American and Caribbean organised civil society , 11-12 March 2015
10/03/2015
7th meeting of the EU, Latin America and Caribbean trade unions, 10-11 March 2015
About the Community of Latin American and Caribbean (CELAC) states
Launched in 2010, the CELAC is a regional bloc of Latin American and Caribbean states. The organisation encompasses for the first time all 33 sovereign LAC countries, representing roughly 600 million people.
CELAC aims to unite all Latin American and Caribbean countries to strengthen the region's political dialogue, and social and cultural integration, improve its quality of life, stimulate economic growth, and advance the well-being of all of its people.
CELAC is a successor to the Rio Group (an international organization consisting of 23 Latin American and Caribbean countries created in 1986 in Rio de Janeiro) and CALC ("Cumbres América Latina y Caribe" - internal Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) states summits).
In January 2015, Federica Mogherini participated in the third CELAC summit in Costa Rica and stressed the need to strengthen the EU-Latin America relationship.
CELAC has become the EU's counterpart for the bi-regional partnership process, including at summit level.
Every two years, since 1999, EU, Latin American and Caribbean leaders meet at a summit to set the priorities of the partnership, the EU being the oldest institutional partner of the region.
Previous EU- LAC summits were held in Rio de Janeiro (1999), Madrid (2002), Guadalajara (2004), Vienna (2006), Lima (2008) and Madrid (2010).
