Von der Leyen will visit Latin America to boost relations before the summit in Brussels

The president of the European Commission will present an agenda in Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Mexico that proposes “a stronger strategic association”.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will visit Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Mexico next week to promote relations with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The announcement of this trip was made after the presentation by the European Commission of an agenda that proposes “a stronger and more modernized strategic association” with the Latin American countries.

“Europe and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean They are preferred partners. Today we propose a new agenda for a renewed alliance,” the official announced on social media.

Von der Leyen considered this association “more important than ever.” “We are key allies in strengthening the rules-based international order, together defending democracy, human rights and international peace and security,” he said.

The trip of the leader of the European Executive occurs weeks before the summit between the European Union (EU) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which will take place in Brussels from July 17 to 18.

“In the geopolitical context, strengthening the relationship between the European Union (EU) and Latin America is a strategic imperative“, said, for his part, the High Representative of the EU, Josep Borrell.

In this line, Borrell opted to “initiate a new era of cooperation as equal partners” and jointly address “global challenges in a new geopolitical context.”

The EU-CELAC Summit will be an opportunity for Europe to try regain leadership in the region, eight years later since the last meeting took place. This occurs at a time marked by the conflict with Ukraine and in which none of the Latin American countries have aligned themselves with the sanctions imposed on Russia by the US and the EU.