By The EU-LAT Civil Society Working Group, of which Pax Christi International is an active member as part of its advocacy work on extractivism in Latin America, has recently published a reaction to the Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council “European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean: Joining efforts for a common future ”. The aim of this policy document is to establish the political priorities for the partnership between both regions.
Through its response, the group welcomes the fact that the policy document is based on principles of shared values and a common future and that it recognises the strategic partnership between both regions. However, it’s worried that the proposed partnership model places a strong emphasis on trade relations and economic growth instead of proposing a coherent and balanced sustainable development approach in line with the social, environmental and economic pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The EU-LAT Civil Society Working Group is composed by CONCORD, EU-LAT Network and Oidhaco network, as well as other civil society organizations with long-standing work in Latin American and Caribbean countries, such as Pax Christi International and Heinrich Böll-Stiftung. Last month, a meeting took place between several members of the working group and EU officials during which the reaction was presented and the EU Communication was discussed.
To consult the text of the EU-LAT Civil Society Working Group reaction, click here for the document in English and here for the document in Spanish.