The EU-CELAC summit is approaching, but the road to compromise seems to be moving away. The war in Ukraine divides the parties

It is possible that there will be no declaration after the EU-Latin America and the Caribbean summit, Polish Radio correspondent Beata Płomecka heard from diplomats in Brussels. The reason is the differences of opinion, primarily regarding the provisions regarding the Russian attack on Ukraine. – For the time being, there is no reference to the Russian attack on Ukraine in the document, so there is no declaration – one of the diplomats told Płomecka.

The war in Ukraine divides politicians

It is unacceptable for the EU countries to delete any references to the war unleashed in Ukraine by Russia from the draft conclusions. – The chances of accepting the final declaration are half and half – said the other interlocutor of the Brussels correspondent. The provisions on slavery and responsibility of the West proposed by Cuba also seemed problematic.

The summit was supposed to be a new opening in mutual relations, but so far no compromise is visible. “Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe need each other more than ever before, because the world we live in is more competitive and conflicted than before,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday morning.

She also announced that the EU will allocate EUR 45 billion for investments in the region. 135 projects are to be financed, including those related to the extraction and use of critical raw materials or the expansion of fiber optic networks. The European Union, after years of neglecting this region, is focusing on enhanced cooperation to face competition from China and Russia.

Time for couples therapy at the EU-Latin America Summit

The site called the EU’s talks with Latin American officials “couples therapy,” with Latin America cast as the neglected spouse and Europe finally waking up from the neglect of their tired relationship. As the service for Europe adds, the summit in Brussels was supposed to be an opportunity to establish economic interests and improve relations. Instead, we have politicians who are unable to overcome the split over the crisis that is the war in Ukraine.

The last such meeting took place eight years ago. The Covid-19 pandemic and Brazil’s three-year exit from the 33-national Community of Latin American and Caribbean States have made “the Atlantic Ocean separating the two sides seem wider,” according to the . “The world has certainly changed in that time,” said the president of the European Commission, quoted by the agency. “So we need our close friends to be by our side in these uncertain times,” she added.

“Latin America and the Caribbean was not a priority for Europe,” Argentine Undersecretary for Latin America and the Caribbean Gustavo Martínez Pandiani told politico.eu on Friday, referring to the years since the last meeting in Brussels in 2015, billed as “partnership for the next generation”. “We appreciate that Europe is returning to Latin America and the Caribbean. We do not want to limit this return only to the consequences of war,” he added

An EU diplomat, who wished to remain anonymous, said that “in the past we sometimes took the region too much for granted.” He added, however, that “we’re being honest now. There’s a real willingness to be involved that goes beyond pure business.”

Ursula von der Leyen talks about the summit negotiations

EU cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean is not the only topic that will be discussed at the summit. The President of the European Commission informed that negotiations on a trade agreement with Mercosur countries – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – are nearing completion. Ursula von der Leyen said this in Brussels, before meeting with Brazilian President Lula da Silva.

The meeting took place before the afternoon summit with the leaders of the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean. “Our ambition is to resolve any remaining discrepancies as soon as possible, so that we can conclude this agreement, which will be mutually beneficial,” stressed the head of the European Commission.

The president of Brazil also expressed his hope that the negotiations would be concluded by the end of this year. – This agreement will open new horizons. We want an agreement that preserves the potential of both parties and will respond to current and future challenges, said Lula da Silva. The final agreement of the agreement still this six months is also the goal of Spain, which will lead the work of the Union until December.

The deal was provisionally agreed in 2019 after nearly two decades of negotiations, but has stalled due to EU concerns over deforestation in the Amazon and concerns about effectively combating climate change and protecting the region’s environment. Just a few weeks ago, Brussels hoped to achieve a breakthrough at the Union-Latin America and the Caribbean summit, but now that seems impossible.