EU, CELAC open new 'positive' chapter in future ties: Michel

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) have agreed on a declaration to open a new "positive" chapter in future ties, European Council President Charles Michel said Tuesday.

"We feel we have really achieved our duty today that we are seeing a new optimistic positive chapter open in relations between the EU and CELAC. We have just agreed on a declaration on both sides, an ambitious declaration that covers a vast scope of areas for future development," Michel said at a press conference that wrapped up the two-day EU-CELAC summit in Brussels.

He underlined that the declaration was supported by all countries with the exception of one that could not agree to a single paragraph.

During the summit, heads of state and government of EU and CELAC countries discussed issues relating to climate change, biodiversity, the green transition, the digital transition, economic and trade cooperation and investments as well as acting together to defend the values and principles of multilateralism, he said.

Underlining the importance of the signed declaration, Michel recalled that both sides could not manage to meet around the same table for eight years.

"We want to really breathe new life into our relationship, and that's why we've decided we should have a permanent coordination mechanism," he said. "We've decided that every two years, we will be holding a summit at the highest level."

- Declaration

In the declaration, the sides expressed their commitment to renewing and further strengthening their longstanding bi-regional partnership, which is founded on shared values and interests and strong economic, social and cultural ties.

They also agreed to reinforce their dialogue and foster extensive people-to-people contacts.

"We reaffirm that by working together as sovereign partners, we are stronger and better placed to face the multiple crises and challenges of our times, including food insecurity, poverty, inequalities in both regions, supply chain disruptions and rising inflation," the declaration said.

They also said they will cooperate to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and environmental degradation.

"We look forward to the signature of the partnership agreement between the organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Union and its member states and the implementation of the regional protocol, which will further strengthen relations between the Caribbean and the EU," it said in another article.

Additionally, the sides committed to fighting multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and gender-based violence and to promoting fundamental labor principles and rights.

They said they will continue to further strengthen and develop trade and investment relations between the EU and CELAC countries and regions.

"We stress the importance of full implementation of association and trade agreements between the EU and CELAC partners," it added.