Josep Borrell, high representative of the European Union, concerned about the fall of confidence in democracy in Latin America

The high representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, expressed this Monday in Lima his concern about “the drop in confidence in democracy” that is taking place in Latin America.

“We are concerned about the drop in confidence in democracy that we are seeing in Latin America, as indicated by that Latinobarometer,” Borrell said during a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru, Óscar Maúrtua.

The head of European diplomacy, who arrived in Peru as part of the first tour he has made to Latin America since he took office in 2019, referred, in this way, to the latest public opinion study carried out by that organization based in Santiago de Chile, which this year warned that democracy in the region “is stable within its state of malaise.”

Borrell commented, in this regard, that “only 49% of the population supports democracy” in Latin America, for which he considered that “to face this trend, it is essential to maintain democratic stability and dialogue.”

“Democracy is strengthened through processes that allow citizens to freely choose their rulers and respect the result, however tight it may be,” he remarked.

The EU-Latin America relationship

Previously, in a message on Twitter, Borrell highlighted the start of his first tour of Latin America in Peru and claimed more weight for Latin America in the external relations of the community bloc.

“The EU must give more weight in its foreign relations to Latin America, as partners in the multilateral system, and as a commercial and investment destination. We share values ​​and political institutions,” he wrote in his account on the social network.

In that sense, during his meeting with Maúrtua he highlighted the importance that the EU gives to relations with Peru, recalled that both parties have had a free trade agreement since 2013 valued at 8,000 million euros a year and announced that it will be signed “soon” a cooperation agreement for the Peruvian armed forces to participate in EU missions and operations around the world.

High level of relationship

In their subsequent communiqué, both parties indicated that they had verified “the very high level of the relationship and understanding” between Peru and the EU, “as well as the increase and deepening of political, economic and cooperation ties.”

This occurs, they added, “from a dynamic relationship sustained in shared values, principles and commitments in matters of democracy, rule of law, promotion and respect for human rights, peace, stability and sustainable development.”

The statement also highlighted the importance of instruments and mechanisms such as the Multiparty Trade Agreement, the Visa Waiver Agreement for short-term stays and the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism, which, as they indicated, “have favored a constructive approach, based on common interests. and aimed at favoring citizens and their needs “.

He also welcomed “the progress made for the forthcoming signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on a Strengthened Political and Sectorial Dialogue and Cooperation Agenda for the next decade between Peru and the European Union, an instrument that will contribute to addressing bilateral issues with a comprehensive approach” .

Fighting the pandemic

During the meeting with Maúrtua, Borrell said that the pandemic “will continue to be a key element in the governments’ fight for the well-being of the population” and that this situation can only be overcome “when everyone has access to vaccines.”

“No one will be safe until everyone is safe,” he said before recalling that Peru has received 3 million vaccines sent by the EU through the international mechanism Covax Facility, in addition to a “own contribution” from Spain.

In the joint statement, both parties reaffirmed “the call to guarantee universal access to vaccines against covid-19, as global public goods and to leave no one behind.”

Peru also thanked the support provided by the EU through Covax and highlighted its inclusion in the list of countries recommended to be “exempted from restrictions for non-essential travel to the European community bloc.”

“The parties agreed that progressively overcoming the pandemic is an opportunity to rebuild better, more sustainable and inclusive societies,” they stressed.

The high representative of the EU also confirmed that this Tuesday he will meet with the Peruvian president, Pedro Castillo, as well as with representatives of the business sector and civil society.

Peru highlights the visit

For his part, the Foreign Minister of Peru stressed that this visit is an “unbeatable opportunity to review the issues of the dynamic bilateral agenda and issues of regional and global interest” and that “agreements of the utmost importance” will be signed, referring to the relationship politics and crisis management and peace promotion.

Maúrtua stressed “that the solid and dynamic relationship” between the EU and Peru “is based on values ​​such as the defense of democracy, the rule of law and human rights.”

During his visit to Peru, Borrell will also meet with the president of the Congress, María del Carmen Alva, and will visit a project developed by the EU to promote gender equality and facilitate the insertion of women in the labor market.

According to data from the Peruvian state agency Proinversión, the EU, excluding the United Kingdom, positioned itself as one of Peru’s main economic allies by registering investments for 7,663 million dollars that represented 29% of the total investments made in the Andean country in 2019. (I)