Iratxe García Pérez: EU has pushed Latin America and the Caribbean into the background for too long.

Iratxe García Pérez and MEPs from the Socialist & Democrats group in the European Parliament have called for a strengthening of ties between the European Union and Latin America.

They say the EU should treat this as a “priority.”

Deputies say the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) should join forces in the “pursuit of closer collaboration and cooperation.”

S&D MEPs in the European Parliament believe this is a “unique opportunity to reinforce the progressive agenda on both sides of the Atlantic.”

“We are faced with those who place economic interests above people and the planet, with those who want to impose the law of the strongest and undermine democracy and fundamental rights.

Iratxe García Pérez

“We progressives on both sides of the Atlantic want to reinforce the politics of the people, of international law and of a rules-based multilateralism.

“Together, we represent more than one third of UN member countries, and we can make a difference against those powers that weaken the international system and the global efforts to make progress on sustainable development for all.”

“As we witness a global reactionary trend that looks the other way in the face of growing inequalities, one that denies climate change and the rights of minorities and women, the European Union can rely on the Latin America and the Caribbean region to work together for our shared values.

“The EU has pushed Latin America and the Caribbean into the background for too long.

 “During these four years of parliamentary mandate, we Socialists and Democrats have been working to strengthen this relationship.” – S&D Group leader Iratxe García Pérez.

She said her group backed the recently announced extra €1bn for the Amazon Fund, which was created in 2008 in order to invest in projects that revitalise the Brazilian Amazon – considered the lung of the world.

“If we want to strengthen cooperation between the EU and Latin America, inter-parliamentary cooperation is crucial.

“In order to address this, the European Parliament is planning to open an office in the region. It is a subject that we’ve had pending and one that will see the light of day in the coming months,” declared the deputy.

Main image: Photographer: Jan VAN DE VELCopyright: © European Union 2022 – Source : EP

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