Agreement establishing the EU-LAC International Foundation

The Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the report by Javier COUSO PERMUY (GUE/NGL, ES) on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement establishing the EU-LAC International Foundation.

The committee recommended the European Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the agreement.

As a reminder, the European Union-Latin America and Caribbean Foundation (EU-LAC Foundation) was created in 2010 by the Heads of State or Government of the European Union and of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). The countries of the EU and of CELAC, as well as the EU itself, are its members.

The Foundation is a tool of the EU-CELAC partnership and its activities feed into intergovernmental dialogue. Its mission is to strengthen and promote the strategic partnership between the two regions, enhance its visibility and foster the active participation of the respective civil societies.

The explanatory statement accompanying the report underlined:

• the existence of strong historical, social and economic relations as well as shared values ​​between Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union;
• the acceptance of the European Union and CELAC of the objectives and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, as well as their commitment to defend the sovereign equality of all States, respect their territorial integrity and political independence and to defend the settlement of disputes by peaceful means and in conformity with justice and international law;
• the progress made in cooperation between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean since the creation of CELAC in 2010.

For these reasons, the EU-LAC Foundation will strengthen bi-regional dialogue, deepen mutual relations, meet the expectations of Latin American and European citizens and effectively address global challenges.