Views on Russia and Ukraine divide as Europe meets Latin America in Brussels.
Hopes are nevertheless placed on progress for increased trade across the Atlantic.
The Russian war in Ukraine is, for once, not a main topic when the 27 countries of the EU and the 33 countries that are part of the loosely connected South and Central American cooperation organization Celac gather on Monday and Tuesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin still haunts the background. The search for a joint meeting statement that all sides can accept has been going on to the last minute.
This includes everything from the Baltic countries, with a sharply critical view of Russia, to countries such as Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, which are some of Moscow’s closest friends.
Even damn Brazil has a significantly less Kiev-friendly view of the conflict than the countries in the EU.
“Our friends”
The meeting statement, which was originally supposed to be 16 pages long, is said to have shrunk day by day during the negotiations. It remains unclear whether – and if so how – the war in Ukraine will be mentioned.
There is also uncertainty regarding economic cooperation.
For many years, the EU has been negotiating a deep trade agreement with the four Mercosur countries – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – but has still not reached a conclusion.
However, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hopes for progress.
– We need our close friends by our side in these challenging times, she says when she welcomes Brazilian President Lula da Silva in Brussels.
More meetings
Despite strong economic and social ties between Europe and Latin America, the trade relationship is complicated.
The EU countries are pulling in different directions, where some are worried about too tough competition on the agricultural side and others want to set tough counter-demands for environmental measures.
In Latin America, at the same time, there is irritation at what is seen as European arrogance and stinginess, which has caused many to instead open their arms to cooperation with China.
This week’s summit in Brussels is still seen as a step towards better relations, with the goal of holding similar meetings every two years in the future.
FACT EU-Celac meeting
The EU countries and the countries of CELAC – the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States – are holding a summit in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday, with nearly 60 heads of state and government in attendance.
On the agenda is an initial joint sitting and dinner on Monday, followed by roundtable discussions in four groups – on climate change, digital issues, security and trade – and a working lunch on Tuesday.
The meeting ends with a press conference at around 3pm on Tuesday.
Sweden is represented by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M).
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