EU and Mercosur, the Andean Community, Chile, Mexico

Issues relating to the political dialogue and economic relations between the EU and the countries of Latin America participating in the continent's regional cooperation structures were examined during two days of ministerial-level talks in Athens on 27 and 28 March, 2003.

In-depth talks were also held on international developments and in particular the Iraq crisis, with emphasis on the importance of multilateral relations in the international system, given that Mexico and Chile are non-permanent members of the UN Security Council.

"We believe that we must undertake a common commitment to express the common political will, to support the United Nations in its international role and specifically on the issue of Iraq," Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said on 28 March following a meeting with the Mercosur countries.

After a ministerial meeting with the Mexican delegation the previous day, Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis had spoken about the need for a common commitment within the framework of the United Nations and the rules of international law.

Prospects for further cooperation between the two sides were also explored, particularly in view of the EU's forthcoming enlargement and on the basis of the current economic agreements which govern economic relations between the EU and the countries of South America.

After the meeting with the Mercosur countries, Papandreou spoke of a transfer of experience from the EU to the regional groupings of Latin American states, while at a press conference with the Andean Community delegation, Giannitsis said: "New opportunities are being created for the countries of Latin America as well as for those acceeding to the EU".

Among the issues examined at length were development cooperation and the tariff policy aimed at improving the access of agricultural and manufactured products to the markets of industrialized countries, while the consensus reached at the Monterrey Conference was reaffirmed. Lastly, the importance of strengthening the multilateral trade system within the framework of the WTO was underlined, as was the timely conclusion of negotiations on issues included in the Doha Development Agenda.


See also:

Joint communiqué: Ministerial meeting between the EU, Mercosur, Bolivia and Chile, 27/03/03
http://www.eu2003.gr/en/articles/2003/3/28/2374/

Joint Communiqué: First meeting of the EU-Chile Association Council, 27/03/03
http://www.eu2003.gr/en/articles/2003/3/27/2372/

Joint Communiqué of the Ministerial meeting between the Andean community and the EU, 27/03/03
http://www.eu2003.gr/en/articles/2003/3/27/2370/

Joint press release: III Meeting of the EU - Mexico Joint Council
http://www.eu2003.gr/en/articles/2003/3/27/2365/

| Arriba |

• Ministerial meeting between the Andean community and the EU (27/3/2003)
• Ministerial meeting between the EU, Mercosur, Bolivia and Chile (27/3/2003)
• EU-Chile Association Council (27/3/2003)
• III Meeting of the EU - Mexico Joint Council (27/3/2003)