The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, declared that the summit between the European Union (EU) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), scheduled for July, should mark the “relaunching” of relations between the two blocs. Borrell stated that they hope the summit will mark the relaunch of the bi-regional relationship, consolidating and institutionalizing regular political dialogue.
The last summit between the two blocs took place more than seven years ago, and Borrell considers that this lapse is too long in today’s fast-paced world. In this regard, the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, who holds the pro tempore presidency of CELAC, stated that the summit could become an “example” for other regions of the world.
Gonsalves said the summit can show the world that a group of developed countries can build model relationships with developing countries to achieve peace, prosperity, and security for all peoples. The 33 CELAC countries and 27 EU countries are scheduled to hold their summit on July 17–18 in Brussels. The foreign ministers of all these countries held a meeting in Buenos Aires on October 27. The summit scheduled for July should mark the “relaunching” of relations between the two blocs, making it possible to consolidate and institutionalize regular political dialogue. In this way, CELAC and EU countries can set an example for other commitments and show the world that it is possible to build model relations between developed and developing countries.