Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

As rapporteur for this important initiative, I am pleased to present a report that reflects a renewed and strategic vision for the European Union’s partnership with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This report comes at a time of profound geopolitical transformation, in which our shared democratic values, commitment to multilateralism, and respect for international law are increasingly challenged by the rise of autocratic regimes and global instability.

The European Union and LAC are natural allies. We are bound by deep historical, cultural, and economic ties, but more importantly, by our common dedication to democracy, human rights, and rules-based international cooperation. Yet, despite this foundation, the EU’s engagement in the region has been insufficient in recent decades, creating space for other global actors—most notably China, Russia, and Iran—to expand their influence.

This report therefore calls for a decisive and proactive re-engagement. It urges the EU to intensify diplomatic efforts, promote economic partnerships, and deepen cooperation on security, justice, and digital transformation. It also underlines the importance of the Global Gateway initiative to increase investment and strengthen the EU’s presence as a competitive and reliable partner in the region. In this context, the conclusion and ratification of the EU-Mercosur Agreement is of fundamental geopolitical and economic importance to revitalising bi-regional ties.

We stress the need to stand united on key foreign policy issues, particularly in defending the international rules-based order. This includes a clear and coordinated position in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and in condemning the actions of authoritarian regimes in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela.

At the same time, we highlight the vital role of parliamentary diplomacy, and we look ahead to the November 2025 EU-CELAC Summit as a pivotal opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to a modern, values-driven partnership that delivers for both regions.

In sum, this report reflects a call to action: to move beyond rhetoric and ensure that the EU-LAC relationship becomes a true partnership of choice—ambitious, balanced, and grounded in shared principles.