The fifth Workshop of the joint project "Network of Association Agreements between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean” organised by the EU-LAC Foundation together with Fundación Carolina took place on 1 July.
The series’ objective is to review the association agreements between both regions and identify to what extent their ratification, modernisation and full use can contribute to a better international insertion, both in economic matters and in the international relations of each party. The study also looks at the transitions that must be undertaken in the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean in aspects such as sustainable development, digitalisation, and social cohesion.
As a result of this study, a series of virtual workshops have been held from 20th of May to 1st of July 2021 with the participation of the main stakeholders in each of the Association Agreements (governments, officials from both regions, experts, parliamentarians, private sector and civil society organisations).
The fifth workshop presented the progress of the study, specifically on the EU-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement with a presentation by Prof Jan Yves Remy (Shridath Ramphal Centre, University of the West Indies) and Junior Lodge (International Trade and Development Consultant).
The main conclusions of this last workshop and the debate thereafter are related to the necessity of continuing with the pursue of an inclusive relationship between equals based on universal values and goals taking into account the diversity of both regions as well as the global development agenda. Special attention deserve also the thrust to political engagement as well as the necessary regulatory work and reforms within countries as well as in CARIFORUM and the EU.
The Executive Director of the EU-LAC Foundation closed this event and the series on behalf of both organising entities by stressing the outstanding results of the series as well as the added value and usefulness that the studies will produce for academics, decision-makers and civil society. Throughout the series of five workshops on the EU-LAC Association Agreements, more than 250 people participated from different stakeholder groups to exchange views. The seven developed studies will be part of a compilation of working documents that will be published at the end of this year.
