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Council of the European Union     17/7/2018  Main results - EU - CELAC Ministerial meeting, 16-17/07/2018 Ministers of foreign affairs from the EU and from the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) met on 16-17 July in Brussels. They adopted a declaration following this second EU-CELAC ministerial meeting.

Main results

Ministers of foreign affairs from the EU and from the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) met on 16-17 July in Brussels.

They adopted a declaration "Building bridges and strengthening our partnership to face global challenges":
Declaration following the second EU-CELAC ministerial meeting


Our meeting has shown once again that our partnership is irreplaceable. We are united by our peoples, interconnected by our economies and bound by our shared values. Latin America and the Caribbean can count on the EU as a responsible partner that is willing to become more involved in all matters of common interest and concern.Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy


We were able to continue to consolidate our historical links and the principles which we share which have allowed us to ensure that we have interconnected regions, facing challenges together. We want to promote an active, open, transparent and substantial dialogue in areas of mutual interest which can benefit the people in both regions.Carlos Castaneda, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador and Pro Tempore President of CELAC.

Ministers focused on consolidating multilateralism and strengthening the cooperation in global forums. They discussed more specifically the rules-based global order, the Paris Climate Agreement, the 2019 Global drug policy review and the global compact for migration. They also discussed common challenges and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. Finally, ministers agreed to work more closely together in support of inclusive and sustainable economies, as well as trade, investments, and productivity.

The meeting was co-chaired by Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Carlos Castaneda, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador and Pro Tempore President of CELAC.
Opening remarks by High Representative Mogherini
What is EU-CELAC partnership?

The EU and CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) represent 61 countries – around one third of the UN membership – and over a billion people – 15% of the world's population. This means that the EU-CELAC partnership impacts on the lives of many people and has the potential to shape the rules-based global order. The EU and LAC both back the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. They have also been prime movers of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

EU-CELAC relations (EEAS website)
EU-CELAC summit, Brussels,10-11/06/2015
Shaping our common future - EU-CELAC strategic partnership
In the margins
EU-LAC Foundation awards

The EU-LAC Foundation awards ceremony took place on Monday 16 July. The EU-LAC Foundation organises the EU-LAC awards with the aim of promoting better understanding among the citizens of the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean and giving visibility to good practices carried out between individuals and organisations from both regions.

The awards comprised two categories: Citizens’ Initiative for civil society projects and Young Journalists aimed at young aspiring journalists who demonstrate writing creativity and an interest in CELAC-EU relations.
Videos of the EU-LAC foundation prize ceremony
Winners of the 2nd edition of the EU-LAC awards
EU-Pacific Alliance meeting

On 17 July, the High Representative Federica Mogherini hosted a meeting with the representatives of the four countries of the Pacific Alliance: the Pacific Alliance pro-tempore Presidency, Foreign Minister Maria Ángela Holguín from Colombia, Foreign Minister Roberto Ampuero from Chile, Foreign Minister Néstor Popolizio from Peru, State Secretary Luis Alfonso de Alba from Mexico and as well as with the foreign ministers of the 28 EU member states.
Joint statement by High Representative Federica Mogherini and the Pacific Alliance foreign ministers
EU-CARIFORUM meeting

EU and Caribbean countries ministers had a working lunch on Tuesday 17 July at which they discussed the future of their relationship after the expiry of the Cotonou agreement in 2020. The Cotonou agreement is the current framework for relations between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.
The Cotonou Agreement (background information)


Meeting information


Meeting n°celac-16072018
Brussels
16/07/2018
16:45
Outcome documents
List of participants

Council of the European Union

17/07/2018

Presidency press release after the informal meeting of ministers responsible for competitiveness (research), 17 July 2018, Vienna, Austria

The informal meeting of competitiveness ministers (research) took place in Vienna with focus on the next EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation entitled Horizon Europe. See the attached press release (PDF). Council of the European Union      16/7/2018 Declaration by the High Representative, Federica Mogherini, on behalf of the European Union on the occasion of the Day of International Criminal Justice, 17 July 2018 On the occasion of the Day of International Criminal Justice the European Union reaffirms its commitment to the fight against impunity for the most serious crimes and violations of international humanitarian law. International criminal justice is not only a powerful deterrent against future abuses, but it is, most of all, instrumental in achieving accountability and sustainable peace. Injustice and impunity have proven in the past to be the main obstacles to healing the deep wounds in societies caused by the most serious crimes and could create fertile ground for the recurrence of conflict. International criminal justice not only contributes to ending impunity but also to fostering broader societal trust and reconciliation. Pursuing international criminal justice remains essential in providing recognition and redress to victims. International justice mechanisms bring reparation to thousands of children, women and men, who have been the victims of serious crimes. 2018 is a seminal year for international criminal justice, as we mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Rome Statute's preamble states that "the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole must not go unpunished". This is a core principle for the EU. Perpetrators of atrocities need to be brought to justice and held to account. To mark this historic occasion and to reconfirm the European Union's unwavering support to the ICC and its commitment to renew its efforts to promote the universality and preserve the integrity of the Rome Statute, the Council adopted on 16 July conclusions on the International Criminal Court. The European Union will continue to support the development of international criminal justice through a combination of policy tools and financial assistance. Since 2000, the EU has contributed over €40 million to support the ICC, through direct funding to ICC outreach activities, global civil society campaigns, projects to promote the ratification of the Rome Statute, as well as through programmes aimed at improving national justice systems through training and capacity building. The European Union pays tribute today to all those working to promote international criminal justice and to protect the rights of victims. Read also the Council conclusions on the International Criminal Court on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute Council of the European Union      16/07/2018 E    Presidency press release after the informal meeting of ministers responsible for competitiveness, 16 July 2018, Vienna, Austria Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers took place in Vienna under the motto “Rethinking European Industry” with focus on innovation, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and professional education. See the attached press release (PDF).