European, Latin American and Caribbean decision making was the topic discussed at an international meeting recently hosted by Spain’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. The event, held in Madrid in early April, was attended by Professor Paula Wojcikiewicz Almeida of Fundação Getulio Vargas’ Rio de Janeiro Law School. The focus was on exploring new perspectives for renewing partnerships between the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The event, called “Dialogue Between European, Latin American and Caribbean Research Centers and Decision Makers: Perspectives and Proposals for Renewing the Strategic Partnership Between the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean,” was organized jointly by the EU-LAC Foundation (represented by its director, Adrian Bonilla, and Anna Barrera) and the Carolina Foundation (represented by its director, Jose Antonio Sanahuja). The meeting brought together representatives of research centers and public sector institutions from Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The participants included European Union officials, in particular Josep Borrell Fontelles, high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy; José Manuel Albares, Spain’s minister for foreign affairs, European Union and cooperation; and Pelayo Castro, head of division, European External Action Service (EEAS). Representatives of Latin America and the Caribbean included Keisal Melissa Peters, minister for foreign affairs and foreign trade in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the president of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). The event was also attended by representatives of international institutions as observers, such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and Inter-American Development Bank.

The objective of the meeting was to prepare for the EU-CELAC Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled for July 2023, during Spain’s presidency of the Council of the European Union. Representatives of research centers and decision makers from the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean met in Madrid to discuss and reflect on the revitalization of the strategic partnership between the EU and CELAC.

“I thank the EU-LAC Foundation and Carolina Foundation for promoting such an enriching exchange of ideas and proposals and, in particular, for giving research centers the space and opportunity to contribute to the political debate and to influence the agendas of decision makers in strategic areas for policy formulation. The FGV Center of Excellence on EU-South America Global Governance is proud to participate in such an important initiative,” said Professor Paula Wojcikiewicz Almeida.

For more details about the EU-LAC Foundation, click here.

For more details about the Carolina Foundation, click here.