EU Chief embarks on Latin America tour to boost 'neglected' ties
The Hindu
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen starts a four-nation trip to Latin America on June 12 to bolster political and trade ties
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen starts a four-nation trip to Latin America on June 12 to bolster political and trade ties that the European Union admits it has sometimes neglected.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the European Union has cast around for "like-minded" partners to provide other sources of trade and critical minerals required for its green transition and help reduce its reliance on China.
Ms. Von der Leyen will meet the Presidents of Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Mexico on consecutive days. Her trip follows that of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier this year and comes a week before Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva travels to Paris.
Brussels will also host more than 30 leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean at a summit on July 17-18, a springboard for its "new agenda" with the region unveiled last week.
E.U. Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said the partnership had been sometimes "taken for granted, or even neglected", and needed to be upgraded with "partners of choice".
High on Ms. Von der Leyen's agenda will be the trade agreement struck in 2019 with the Mercosur bloc of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, but put on hold largely due to concerns over Amazon deforestation.
The E.U. is expecting a Mercosur response soon to its proposal to attach sustainability and climate change commitments to the deal.
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