In a few days time, leaders of European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean will meet in Santiago de Chile. Among those from Europe confirmed to be there on January 26 and 27 are the French Prime Minister, the German Chancellor, the Spanish Prime Minister, the European Commission’s President, the President of the European Council, and Europe’s Trade Commissioner. As far as Latin America and Caribbean are concerned, most heads of government will attend.
From a European perspective the event is intended to give a new impetus to cooperation and to build common positions on global issues. Europe’s interest is also on the business opportunities the event may bring from what the EC sees as fast-growing, emerging markets. There will also be in the margins, discussions on implementing Europe’s recent free trade agreements with Colombia and Peru and with Central America, plus exchanges aimed at trying to move forward an EU Mercosur agreement. There will be a separate EU Cariforum meeting.
Despite this eurocentric focus and the usual obscure and vague language in accompanying news releases, this meeting may have significance for the hemisphere that justifies the cost of attending.
What may set this meeting apart is that the hemispheric interlocutor will be the EU’s
