Commissioner Patten to visit Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador

External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten is travelling to Latin America where he will meet government representatives of Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Andean Community (CAN), and the heads of all EC delegations in Latin America. Discussions will range over a broad agenda including bilateral relations with each of the three countries, EU-Mercosur relations, the prospects for EU-CAN relations following the signature (on 15 December 2003) of a new political dialogue and co-operation agreement between the two regions, and the peace process in Colombia. Throughout his visit Commissioner Patten will stress the benefits of advancing further the process of regional integration in Latin America, as well as the importance to increase social cohesion in the region as a means to consolidate democracy and foster economic prosperity.

On the eve of his trip, Commissioner Patten said: "The EU and the countries of Latin America have a mutual interest in working together to tackle bilateral, regional and global issues. The EU being the 1st foreign investor in Latin America's and its 2nd trading partner, I intend to explore ways in which we can help to consolidate democracy and foster economic growth in the region and specifically in the three countries I will visit. I will also underline our commitment to support further efforts to increase social cohesion throughout the region, an issue which should feature highly in the agenda of the third EU-Latin America and Caribbean Summit to take place in May 2004 in Guadalajara, Mexico".

The Commissioner will start his trip in Brasilia on 19 January, where he will meet President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Foreign Affairs Minister Celso Amorim, Defence Minister Jose Vieges Filho, as well as EU Ambassadors to Brazil. These meetings will provide an opportunity to express the EU's support to the Brazilian government's progressive social policies while maintaining a sound macroeconomic approach. Commissioner Patten will also reaffirm the vital role that Brazil should play in bringing forward the Mercosur regional integration process, emphasising the EU commitment to complete ongoing EU-Mercosur negotiations in 2004.

On 20 January, Commissioner Patten will sign the new EU-Brazil Science and Technology agreement before he leaves to Sao Paulo where he will meet with State Governor, Geraldo Alckmin and leaders from the business community. He will also hold a meeting with the heads of all European Commission delegations in Latin America to review the implementation of the Commission's co-operation programmes.

On 21 January, Commissioner Patten will travel to Bogotá where he will meet President Alvaro Uribe and hold a joint press conference following the launch of the second EU-funded (euro 33 m) Peace Laboratory covering 62 municipalities in three Colombian regions badly affected by violence (Norte de Santander, Oriente antioqueño y Macizo Colombiano). The Commissioner will also meet Vice-President Francisco Santos Calderón and Commerce Minister Jorge Humberto Botero and will attend a working dinner with Foreign Minister Carolina Barco, Defence Minister Jorge Alberto Uribe and Internal Affairs Minister Sabas Pretelt de la Vega. These meetings will provide an opportunity to express the EU's solidarity with the Colombian people against the threats of terrorism, drug traffic and illegal groups, as well as the EU's support to re-establish the rule of law throughout the whole of Colombia. The Commissioner will also hold a meeting with representatives from Colombian and European NGOs that are working to promote Human Rights with European Commission financial support.

On 22 January, the Commissioner will visit the first EU-funded Peace Laboratory in Magdalena Medio which is making good progress in supporting local civil society pursue their own solutions to address their most pressing concerns, including the consequences of violence and alternatives to drug-related crops. Back in Bogotá, the Commissioner will meet with UN Secretary General Special Advisor James LeMoyne, UN Humanitarian coordinator Alfredo Witchi Cestari, and the Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michael Fruhling. The Commissioner will reaffirm the EU's support to the persistent UN efforts to promote a solution to the ongoing armed conflict. A joint press conference will be held after the meeting. Prior to flying to Quito, the Commissioner will debrief EU Ambassadors to Colombia on the results of his visit.

Upon arrival in Quito still on 22 January, Commissioner Patten will meet Foreign Minister Zuquilanda to review bilateral relations and issues of common interest. Ecuador currently holding the Presidency pro-tempore of the Andean Community (CAN), Commissioner Patten will join a working dinner with the Foreign Affairs Ministers of all five CAN countries Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela- and the newly appointed CAN Secretary General, Alan Wagner. Discussions are expected to cover prospects for EU-CAN relations following the signature on 15 December 2003 of the political dialogue and co-operation agreement. They will also discuss preparations for the third EU-Latin America Caribbean (LAC) Summit to be held in Guadalajara (Mexico) in May 2004.

In the morning of 23 January, Commissioner Patten will hold a working breakfast with EU Ambassadors to Ecuador, after which he will formally sign an agreement launching a new environmental programme in Ecuador. A joint press conference with FM Zuquilanda will follow prior to the Commissioner's departure.

Background

EU/Brazil relations

Relations between the EU and Brazil are based on shared values: tolerance, pluralism, respect for human rights and the rule of law. The EU is fully committed to supporting Brazil as it seeks to ensure sustainable development through fully integrating into the global system and through participation in international organisations. Indeed, the EU may be considered Brazil's no.1 international partner since it is the no.1 provider of development aid in the country, the no.1 investor and for the last few years, it has been Brazil's no.1 trading partner.

EU-Brazil relations are based on the 1992 Framework Co-operation Agreement and the 1995 EU- Mercosur Framework Co-operation Agreement, the latter having as its long term objective the preparation of an Inter-regional Association between the EU and Mercosur. Specific negotiations have been taking place since 1999 (see below) to establish such an association, including the creation of a free trade area. On 12 November 2003 the EU and Mercosur agreed on the 'Brussels Programme" for the final phase of the bi-regional negotiations, with the aim of concluding them at a ministerial level meeting in October 2004.

While trade relations with Brazil are dealt with at both the bilateral and the Mercosur levels, all matters as regards the EU's political dialogue with Brazil are exclusively dealt with through the Mercosur organisation and the EU-Mercosur institutional mechanisms. Development co-operation issues as regards Brazil are dealt with at both the bilateral EU-Brazil and the regional EU-Mercosur levels, while a range of specific discussions underpin the bilateral relations between the two partners: environmental issues, science & technology, veterinary issues, wines & spirits discussions and a recent agreement on textiles. In December 2002 the EC and Brazil initialled the final negotiating text for a new EC-Brazil Science and Technology Co-operation Agreement.

EU/Colombia relations

EU relations with Colombia are focussed on supporting the government in its efforts to improve the human rights situation and to restore peace in the country, after almost 40 years of internal conflict.

The Peace Process

The root causes of Colombia's conflict are to a large extent common to many other Latin American countries, coupled with a specific weakness of State institutions. These conditions gave rise to an endemic state of armed conflict, encouraged illegal business and the development of a widespread "non governmental" culture. In support of the peace process, the EU organised the most recent international meeting of the Support Group for the peace process in April 2001, at which the EU announced an aid package amounting to more than € 330 million.

This pledge is being translated into concrete results through the setting up of so-called peace laboratories that aim to contribute to the dialogue for peace by strengthening the voice of civil society and democratising local institutions. The first Peace Laboratory in Magdalena Medio started in March 2002 and has four components: peace culture and integral rights; productive activities and alternative development; social infrastructure (health, education, water, waste); and the strengthening of state institutions and civil society. EU funding amounts to €34.8 million (total budget €42.2 million) and the project's duration is 8 years. The second peace laboratory will be formally launched by Commissioner Patten during his visit, following an agreement on the financing of the project in December 2003: EU funding €33 million. It will be implemented in three of Colombia's most conflictive regions (see above) and will run for a period of six years.

Human rights

Colombia's political and military crises have had a negative impact on the human rights situation in the country, including large numbers of people having been killed, wounded and kidnapped by the guerrillas and paramilitary forces.

The EU is making substantive efforts to help to improve the respect for human rights in Colombia. In 2002, the Commission allocated €2.5 million to support projects in this field. In 2003 the figure grew to slightly over €3.5 million.

In addition, ECHO provides humanitarian assistance to help internally displaced persons. Colombia is estimated to have the third largest displaced population (2-2.5 million) in the world after Sudan and Angola. Following a commitment of €10 million in 2001, ECHO's Global Plan 2002 included humanitarian operations for further €8 million during 15 months. Finally, assistance also flows from the Commission's budget line for operations to aid uprooted people in Asia and Latin America. In 2002 €4.3 million were allocated to Colombia, primarily to focus on those areas where ECHO is already working to ensure a smooth transition towards rehabilitation and development

Trade and Co-operation

The EU is the first foreign direct investor in Colombia and even though its exports to the EU are of no strategic importance (mainly coal, coffee, bananas, ferrous alloys, flowers), it benefits from the EU's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) and its special drugs regime as a result of which most exports from Colombia are exempt from customs duties.

EU/Ecuador relations

The EU's relations with Ecuador are focussed on supporting political and economic stability in the country, which has had six different Presidents between 1996 and 2003 and whose economy is extremely vulnerable to external economic shocks.

Relations between the EU and Ecuador are mainly carried out on a regional basis with the other countries of the Andean Community through the framework agreement establishing this co-operation, which was signed in 1993, and entered into force in 1998. Political dialogue is based on the Rome Declaration on political dialogue that was signed in 1996.

EU development co-operation with Ecuador has two dimensions: a regional dimension, which focuses, on supporting Andean integration and on horizontal programmes for Latin America; and a bilateral dimension that aims to help the Government fight poverty, and more precisely to cushion not only the social impact, but also the environmental impact, of the country's economic problems.

Trade relations between Ecuador and the EU rely heavily on the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) with more than 55% of Ecuador's exports to the EU exempt of custom duties.

EU/Latin America-Caribbean Summit, 28-29 May 2004, Guadalajara (Mexico)

The EU-LAC Guadalajara Summit will bring together Heads of States and governments of 58 countries. It is the 3rd EU-LAC Summit, but it will be the first international Summit with the participation of the ten new EU Member States. The summit's main objective will be to build on the bi-regional strategic partnership that the two regions have decided to develop together to enable them to tackle common challenges: contributing to peace and stability through effective multilateralism; and contributing to the development and prosperity of Europe and Latin America by increasing social cohesion, improving democratic governance and deepening regional integration.

The first Summit between the Heads of State and Government of Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union was held in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro on the 28 and 29 June 1999. The objective of the Rio Summit was to strengthen the political, economic and cultural understanding between the two regions in order to encourage the development of a strategic partnership, establishing a set of priorities for future joint action in the political and economic fields.

A second EU-LAC Summit was held in Madrid on 17-18 May 2002. This summit assessed progress made in the framework of the strategic partnership established at Rio, emphasising advances in the three main pillars of the relationship: political dialogue, economic and financial relations including trade and capital, and co-operation in a number of areas. On this occasion, new proposals were made to further strengthen the bi-regional partnership.

In the preparations currently underway for the Guadalajara EU-LAC Summit, the European Union is insisting on the importance to find ways of co-operating on social cohesion issues: fight against social inequalities, exclusion and poverty.

EU/Mercosur relations

The European Union has always favoured and supported a strengthening of the process of regional integration in Mercosur and has therefore supported the Mercosur initiative from its very conception in 1991.

Part of the current work between the EU and Mercosur, aims at reinforcing and finalising the internal Mercosur programme to complete its common market by 1 January 2006. The other main objective of relations between the EU and Mercosur is to conclude an association agreement between the two regional blocs.

Talks to conclude such an Association Agreement began in June 1999. Since then ten rounds of negotiations have taken place. The agreement comprises three chapters: political, co-operation and trade and economic. During the 7th Round of negotiations in April 2002 the political and co-operation chapters were virtually finalised. The results were presented at the European Union/Latin America Summit in Madrid on 17 May 2002. At the Ministerial meeting which took place in Rio de Janeiro Brazil in July 2002, both parties adopted a work-programme mapping out the negotiations for the trade chapter of the Association Agreement aimed at creating a bi-regional free trade area. Since then three further negotiating rounds have been held in Brasilia (November 2002), Brussels (March 2003) and Asunción (June 2003). In the Rio programme both parties agreed to hold a Trade Negotiators Meeting in the second half of 2003 to roadmap the final phase of the negotiations. This roadmap was agreed in Brussels on 12 November 2003 when both sides renewed their commitment to concluding negotiations by the end of 2004.

The EU is Mercosur's main trading partner accounting for about 25% of the bloc's total trade. The EU absorbs around half of the total Mercosur's exports of agricultural products. Trade between the EU and Mercosur amounted to around € 40 bio in 2002. Between 1980 and 2002 EU imports from Mercosur grew by 5% on average every year.

EU/Andean Community relations

The EU's relations with the Andean Community are based on a complete institutional framework, as with other regional blocks in Latin America.

Since the Rio Summit between EU and Latin American and Caribbean Heads of State and Government in 1999, the Andean countries showed interest in «upgrading» their relations with the EU. At the EU-CAN Summit on 18 May 2002, the Heads of State and Government "welcomed the new initiative to negotiate a political and co-operation Agreement between the EU and the Andean Community" as well as the decision to strengthen the co-operation on trade, investment and economic relations. They stressed that the achievement of the objectives of such an agreement together with the strengthening of their co-operation should establish conditions under which, building on the outcome of the Doha Work Programme, a feasible and mutually beneficial Association Agreement, including a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), could be negotiated between both regions. They highlighted the importance in this connection of the forthcoming negotiation of an agreement on political dialogue and co-operation which will offer an opportunity to advance the common objectives of strengthening democracy, good governance and respect for human rights, stimulating the integration process in the Andean Community of Nations and promoting the benefits of economic development".

Following two rounds of negotiations, the EU and the Andean Community successfully concluded agreed on a new Political Dialogue and Co-operation Agreement in Quito on 15 October 2003. The new EU-CAN Agreement will provide a new contractual framework for the political dialogue, focus it more on the concerns of both regions (such as security, regional development and stability, conflict prevention and resolution, human rights, democracy, good governance, terrorism, migration and drugs), and intensify exchanges at working level. The provisions of the agreement on co-operation would aim at widening the scope of the bi-regional relationship and in particular support the Andean Community's regional integration process in the economic, political and social fields.

The Andean Community receives 27% of all allocations to Latin America from the EU budget. From 1999-2002 this amounted to €843 million. Historically, the European Commission has granted significant levels of development co-operation to the Andean Community, averaging some €130 million per annum over the past ten years. This co-operation has focused on human rights and democracy, regional integration, integrated rural development, infrastructure and social development. The new Agreement will expand current co-operation to include new areas such as conflict prevention, uprooted people, migration and counter-terrorism.

For further information:

http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/la/index.htm

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