Events

OCP Policy Center and the German Marshall Fund of the U.S. are hosting a roundtable on July 7th 2015 in Brussels about “Pivot to Europe? Shared Challenges and Avenues of Cooperation between Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.”

This roundtable discussion, held under Chatham House rule, will bring together representatives from the EU and LAC countries to discuss these issues after the EU-CELAC Summit 2015. The event will be an occasion to foster dialogue and cooperation between the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean as well as to discuss deepening multilateral collaboration to address global issues.

While the United States has traditionally been the primary partner for many Latin American and Caribbean countries, ties with the European Union (EU) are growing. Recent changes, including the process of normalizing U.S.-Cuba relations and fast growing economies in Latin America are changing the dynamics in the Western Hemisphere, with implications for Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) relations with other partners.

Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe share similar concerns over sustainable growth, education, security, energy, and climate change. However, the means of addressing those issues vary significantly from one region to another. A growing perception in the EU about middle income countries’ capacity to finance development has reshaped its aid policy towards some LAC countries. Many of them have experienced a period of sustained growth and enjoy rich natural resource endowments. Thus, countries graduating from aid are redefining their relationship with the EU on more equal terms.

Negotiations for association agreements between the EU and three Latin American regional trading associations are currently underway and both blocs are exploring new avenues for cooperation. Mercosur and the EU continue to negotiate a long-stalled free trade agreement while the post-2015 development agenda and shifting global trade dynamics present further opportunities for greater collaboration.