Latin America and Caribbean: EU prepares for the CELAC-EU ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting

The Council took stock of the preparations of the CELAC-EU ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting to be held on 25-26 October 2016 in Santo Domingo on the future of the bi-regional partnership. The Council adopted the draft agenda, which foresees discussions on how to strengthen the bi-regional dialogue and deepen mutual relations, an assessment of the programmes and actions adopted by the Summits, discussions on financing for development and on climate change, and a specific point on the European Union - Latin America and the Caribbean Foundation (EU-LAC Foundation). 

An agreement establishing the EU-LAC Foundation as an international organisation is expected to be signed at the meeting. The EU-LAC Foundation brings together the European Union and its 28 member states and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and its 33 member states with the following objectives: 

• encouraging further mutual knowledge and understanding between both regions; 
• strengthening the CELAC-EU bi-regional partnership process, with increased participation of civil society;
• enhancing the mutual visibility between both regions, as well as of the bi-regional partnership itself.

The EU-LAC Foundation will fulfil its objectives through activities such as encouraging debates through seminars, conferences and publications; promoting events related to the topics addressed in CELAC-EU Summits; launching bi-regional programmes and organising exchanges; encouraging studies and creating new contact opportunities.

The EU-LAC Foundation will continue to be headquartered in Hamburg (Germany). The transitional Foundation established in 2011, pending the conclusion of the international agreement, will be dissolved. 

• EU relations with Latin America and the Caribbean (EEAS)