| Author (Person) | Thomson, Ian |
|---|---|
| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning |
| Series Title | In Focus |
| Series Details | 4.11.00 |
| Publication Date | 04/11/2000 |
| Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus |
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On the 31 October 2000 the European Commission adopted a Communication setting out the general principles and actions that it intends to take to implement the priorities established during the first summit of Heads of State and Government of the countries of Latin America, the Caribbean and the EU held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1999. In addition, the European Commission began gearing up for the third round of negotiations for projected Association Agreements with the Mercosur Group (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) and Chile. Background Relations between the EU and the countries of Latin Amercia have traditionally not been as close, relatively, as between the EU and those countries in the world where there have been long established historical links between individual EU Member States and third countries such as in the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions. Nevertheless, significant trade has always existed between Latin America and individual countries of the European Union, while the entry of Spain and Portugal into the EU in 1986, with their historical close ties with many of the countries of the region, has led to the gradual development of various mechanisms of co-operation with both individual countries and regional groupings in Latin America. In 1995 the European Commission adopted a Communication 'on the present situation and prospects for closer partnership between the EU and Latin America (1996- 2000)'(COM (1995)495 final)(CELEX No: 51995DC0495)( Summary: IP/95/1160). The European Parliament Resolution on the Communication is available (PE DOC A4-416.96) The Communication set out the value for the EU of closer links with Latin America, details how cooperation had fared until now (1991-95) and offered proposals for strengthening relations. In 1999 the European Commission adopted a further Communication 'on a new European Union-Latin America partnership on the eve of the 21st century' (COM (1999)105 final)(not on EUR-LEX)(CELEX No: 51999DC0105)(Summary: IP/99/158 ). In the Communication the Commission said that the EU intended to make a qualitative improvement in its relations with Latin America and give a fresh impetus to political, economic and trade co-operation. It set out the main themes for reflection relating to future relations between the EU and Latin Amercia before the first-ever Summit of Heads of State and Government at Rio de Janeiro, 28-29 June 1999. The Communication defined the converging lines of action centred round three main poles of EU-Latin American relations :
The outcome of the Rio Summit of Heads of State and Government in June 1999 can be seen in two Press Releases, one covers talks with Mercosur and Chile (PRES/99/207) and the other covers the discussions with the Andean Community (PRES/00/208) Further background information on relations between the EU and Latin America: Regional groupings in Latin and Central America: Mercosur Group: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay Andean Community: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela (+ Panama as an observer) Rio Group: the most important general political consultation and coordination organisation in Latin America covering most countries in the region San José Dialogue: Costa Rica, Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua The 2000 Communication The Communication adopted on 31 October 2000 (the full text of which was not available at the time of compilation of In Focus on 4 November 2000) (Summary: IP/00/1251) focuses on three short-term key priorities at regional level:
The Commission called upon all partners in implementing the Rio Summit conclusions to come forward with ideas for initiatives. On-going negotiations to adopt Association Agreements with the Mercosur Group and Chile The current relationship between the EU and Mercosur and the EU and Chile is based upon Framework Cooperation Agreements adopted in 1995 [Celex No.296A0319(02)] and After three years of preparatory work, the Heads of State and Government of the EU, Mercosur and Chile formally decided to launch negotiations in June 1999. Administrative negotiations began in November 1999, while the first substantive negotiations took place in April 2000. A further set of meetings took place in June 2000 and the third set of negotiations will take place in Brasilia (7-10 November 2000) and Santiago (13-16 November 2000). A full background brief on the current negotiations can be found in MEMO/00/72 from the European Commission. Also of interest is a speech given in Spain by External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten on EU-Latin America relations on 3 November 2000 just before he travelled out to the region for the negotiations. An earlier speech he gave in Paris on 2 October 2000 is also relevant, as is the report of a conference with civil society representatives on 12 October 2000 in Brussels on the progress of the EU-Mercosur/Chile negotiations. Further information within European Sources Online: European Sources Online: European Voice Further information can be seen in these external links: European Commission: DG External Relations Council of the European Union: European Commission: EUR-OP Group of the European People's Party Red Académica Uruguaya Capitulos Magazine of SELA Inter Press Service: World News Further and subsequent information on the subject of this week's In Focus can be found by an 'Advanced Search' in European Sources Online by inserting 'Latin America', 'MERCOSUR', 'San José', 'Andean Community', 'Rio Group' or the name of individual countries in the keyword field. Ian Thomson Background and reporting on the week's main stories in the European Union and the wider Europe. |
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| Countries / Regions | South America |
