This Monday the European Union (EU) and representatives of Ecuador spoke about the cooperation programs that they will maintain until 2027 in trade, environment, security, governance, among others.
The meeting was attended by EU authorities, the bloc’s ambassador to Ecuador, and the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister, Juan Carlos Holguín.
Charles-Michel Geurts, EU ambassador to Ecuador, said that there is currently a very important signal of recovery and political, economic, green, digital commitment between the bloc of countries and Ecuador, in difficult times for peace and security.
Bryan Glynn, director general for the Americas of the EU’s European External Action Service, said that in difficult times Ecuador has shown the strength of its principles, in addition to setting an example on environmental issues such as the extension of the Galapagos reserve.
He thinks that Ecuador is in a position to lead the image of the region in a system that respects the rules and a sample of values shared with the countries of the bloc. Good relations are shown in the trade committee, human rights dialogue, the security cooperation table, among other topics. In addition to the opening of the country to regional and multilateral organizations.
According to Glynn, bilateral trade has amounted to 5.5 billion euros in 2021 and obstacles continue to be gradually removed in accordance with the agreement between the two parties.
The good dynamics of cooperation has meant that the new multi-year program for 2021-2027 has a non-reimbursable financing of 67 million euros, of which 40 will be executed until 2024.
Jorge de la Caballería, general director of cooperation and development of the EU for South America, was also present and indicated that the relationship between the parties is so good that there is currently a more varied, complete and ambitious portfolio in the region.
Cooperation is worked in seven years, and in the last one there has been a permanent rise and diversification of cooperation instruments.
“We have from bilateral aid -remember the earthquake issue-… to regional collaboration, which is very important, which is what we have in terms of security. A few days ago we signed an important document for the entry into force of the CLASI program (Latin American Committee for Internal Security), which are American and European networks to fight against organized crime”, points out De la Caballería.
Meanwhile, the Ecuadorian Deputy Foreign Minister César Montaño thanked the EU for its contribution to hosting the students who were in Ukraine, who have since been repatriated. In addition to agreeing on the request for respect for the UN charter regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
Regarding the cooperation plans, he highlighted the cooperation in security matters due to the violence that drug trafficking has unleashed in Ecuador, since in recent weeks an intense agenda has been developed with the arrival of EU officials for their assistance, initially by now, on this subject, based on the experience that as a bloc they have with the COSI (Permanent Committee for Operational Cooperation on Internal Security). In addition to the process in which the country is in to be part of the Budapest cyber security program.
Montaño adds that tomorrow (Tuesday) there will be a high-level dialogue between Ecuador and the EU. “After that we will be able to make an announcement of what the cooperation programs are going to be … in trade, politics and other phases,” he points out.
When asked about the EU’s support for the new Galapagos reserve, Geurts indicated that the technical works are already being financed to prepare the debt exchange that will deliver between 15 and 20 million dollars a year to finance maintenance and surveillance. in the new protected area.
In the commercial area, De la Caballería said that soon it will be seen which are the areas in which entrepreneurs and exporters could do more. As well as the implementation of a program to improve the adaptation to the requirements of the countries of the bloc.
While Vice Minister Muñoz pointed out that in 2021 Ecuador had a surplus of almost 1,700 million dollars, the largest compared to other destinations.
“(The free trade agreement with the EU) has been beneficial for the country… not only traditional exports have benefited, but also new exports, mainly agro-industrial because we have seen that more tariff items have been incorporated in the last period to the agreement”, said Muñoz, for whom the agreement can be taken advantage of even more in the future.
For Geurts, the stability of the European market made Ecuador’s star products, such as shrimp, bananas, cocoa, increase exports, even in 2020 – when the pandemic caused more restrictions. In 2021, the increase was almost 15% and the recovery of European products was 23%. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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