The EU's top diplomat calls on Member States to "engage more in Latin America."
17 July 2023
In an exclusive interview with correspondents from EBU Members - Marta Carazo (TVE Spain) and Duarte Valente from (RTP Portugal) – High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, set high hopes for the ongoing summit between the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), calling for a "relationship between equals to seek agreements that favor both of us."
Latin American countries "have become much more important economically and geopolitically, and they want to be recognized as such," said Borrell. "This summit will also be the occasion to put on the table how we and them look at the new geopolitical landscape" dominated by the war in Ukraine.
On political differences related to the war in Ukraine and relations with Russia, the EU's top diplomat advocated moving from formal condemnation of Russia's invasion towards "an attitude that helps to stop the war and to bring a just and fair peace."
Borrell also announced that the contentious issue of reparations for Europe's colonial past would "undoubtedly" be mentioned during the summit. "We must not let what happened prevent us from being what we want to be: two regions of the world that are very close politically, culturally and linguistically, that can share joint objectives in the fight against the great global challenges."
"If we are unable to establish this cooperation among those with whom we feel closer, we will hardly be able to do so with those who are not so close," he concluded.
Josep Borell was appointed High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission for a Stronger Europe in the World in 2019. Previously, he has held ministerial posts in the Spanish government and was President of the European Parliament from 2004-2007. He has also been a Member of the Spanish Parliament and European Parliament.
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