Portugal offers "pivotal importance" to the strategic partnership between the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), stated Prime Minister Luís Montenegro during his speech at the 4th EU-CELAC summit in Santa Marta, Colombia.

At the time, the Prime Minister identified the three priorities in the relationship between Europe and Latin America: trade and investment, response to common challenges, and upholding multilateralism.

"This partnership brings the two shores of the Atlantic closer in a joint cooperation programme towards a future that we wish to be more prosperous, sustainable, and shared", he said, stressing that "Portugal has played its part": "Bilaterally, we strive to build the necessary bridges to forge closer ties. We open our economy, our society, and our universities to all mutually beneficial cooperation opportunities. As an EU member state, Portugal is always on the front line to uphold tighter relations between both regions".

Trade and investment

Affirming trade and investment as a top priority, he said that "it is imperative that we move forward towards deepening our economic and commercial relations based on mutually beneficial agreements". These agreements must "open the doors to the many opportunities and huge potential in both our regions. We cannot wait any longer to move forward decisively on this matter".

Portugal "has always advocated the conclusion of the new and long-awaited EU-Mercosul agreement and the updated agreement between the EU and Mexico", hoping that "both may enter into force as quickly as possible, joining the agreements that already exist between the EU and Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Central America".

Response to common challenges

The second priority is strengthening cooperation in the response to common challenges: "climate change, ocean governance, preserving biodiversity, the digital transition, threats to energy security, the transformation of societies, the security challenges, and the fight against trafficking and organised crime.

The issues will be included in the summit’s Joint Declaration and an "ongoing dialogue between our regions" must be initiated to "contribute to concrete, ambitious, and effective action roadmaps. And to fair solutions. That is what we expect to put into practice after this Summit. That will be its success", he said.

Boosting multilateralism

Boosting multilateralism as a basis for the joint response to global challenges is the third priority indicated by the Prime Minister.

"When multilateralism is under threat", international law is disrespected and democracy loses ground, "the convergence between the EU and CELAC becomes even more of a priority" because "only then can we counter the growing geopolitical fragmentation and bring new life to the multilateral system", he stated.

Portugal thereby supports "the reform of the United Nations multilateral system" where "a greater representativity in the Security Council is an essential aspect, where Latin America and the Caribbean can play their fair part".

The Prime Minister concluded by reiterating Portugal’s commitment to:

• A future, value-based partnership

• A trade and investment partnership with a real impact on our companies and citizens

• A roadmap for the green and digital transition with social justice, and

• A commitment to peace, security, and democracy, founded on a renewed multilateral system".

The European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, with more than one billion peop0le, represent 14 % of the world’s population, 21% of global GDP, and a third of the UN members.