European Parliament: Latin America is an opportunity for the EU, not only for Spain

The vice-president of the European Parliament, Marc Angel from Luxembourg, welcomes the fact that the relationship between Latin America and Europe progress under the Spanish presidency of the EU and stresses that this link “It’s an opportunity for 27” countries of the community bloc and not only for Spain and Portugal.

In an interview with EFE in the Spanish Senate, where the fifteenth Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat) began on Monday, Angel stresses that Europe and Latin America must “work together” to be “stronger” and defend the “multilateralism” yeahthe “international order”.

“We have to defend international law, women’s rights, the Sustainable Development Goals (the United Nations 2030 Agenda) and the global agenda”asked the Social Democratic MEP.

Along these lines, the vice president positively assessed the recent Summit between the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) on July 17 and 18 in Brussels, whose conclusions included part of the “language and proposals” of EuroLat.

“I hope that the EuroLat proposals have been echoed at the Summit, although I am a little disappointed with the treatment of the Ukrainian war”says in reference to the condemnation that both blocs made of the invasion, which did not mention Russia and even so did not have the support of Nicaragua.

Despite this, he insists on the reasons for which he is satisfied, even though there is still a long way to go: “The way we work, on issues like trade, in our policies, modernizing trade agreements… are things I’m happy with.”

An opportunity for the 27

The vice president recalls that Latin America and Europe share “standards” and a “common history”and although he celebrates that “Spain and Portugal push the relationship”, consider that this is “an opportunity” not only for these two nations but for all European members.

Along these lines, it regrets that the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen, “I will not mention Latin America” in his speech on the State of the Union in which the annual priorities of the EU are marked.

“This cannot be, it has to change”considers the Luxembourger, who celebrates that the Summit with CELAC “underscore the importance” the link between the two regions.

“African countries are our brothers, obviously, because we are next to each other, but history unites Latin America and we also defend the same values, fundamental rights and promote common standards, we do not have to agree on everything, but on general issues we have points in common,” continue.

Caring for European values

With the European elections in a year’s time (in June 2024) in mind, the social democrat analyzes the state of the EU and believes that one of the challenges is to bring European policies closer to citizens and “explain to people what can be lost”.

“Europe is not perfect, we must continue working, pushing for its future”, considers the parliamentarian, who would like “see Europe explained” not only in international media, but also in the local and regional press of each country: in those newspapers that are “in the kitchens of the houses”.

“The people who go to the European Parliament are the ones who send the countries, we have to explain more how people can influence the EU, not only through the European elections, but also through the national ones”, asserted.

Referring to the push of the ultra-right in Europe, Angel warns that the social advances achieved “They can disappear if the wrong people take power.”

“It is something with which you can mobilize participation, not everything is allowed, if the extreme right takes power it will attack LGBT rights as they are already doing, those of women and other fundamental rights”ends.

Source: EFE