Published 11/07/2025 16:07
Between the 9th and 10th of November in Santa Marta, Colombia, the IV Celac-EU Summit (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the European Union) will take place. President Lula confirmed his participation in the meeting of authorities whose objective, in the end, is to sign the “Declaration of Santa Marta” and the definition of the “Road Map 2025-2027”, instruments that aim to guide priorities to convert the bi-regional dialogue into concrete actions.
According to Palácio do Planalto, the discussion will focus on a broad global agenda with the following priorities: trade and investments; climate; environment; energy transition; citizen security; combating transnational organized crime; food and nutritional security; health self-sufficiency; social inclusion; education and research; migration and mobility; cultural relations; and digital transition.
An enthusiast of Latin American integration and the main guarantor of the Mercosur-European Union agreement, the Brazilian president makes a point of attending the meeting, scheduled between the Climate Summit and the start of COP 30, both in Belém (PA).
Read more: Mauro Vieira announces European Union agreement with Mercosur for December
The opportunity is opportune, since the UN Climate Convention has already brought several world leaders to South America. Despite this, significant absences must materialize, such as that of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz.
The absences are attributed to recent tensions involving Colombia and Venezuela with the United States. President Donald Trump has instigated conflicts with South American countries by bombing vessels and expanding sanctions on the countries.
On the Brazilian side, President Lula has already stated that “the Celac meeting only makes sense, at this moment, if we are going to discuss this issue of American warships here in the seas of Latin America”.
He stated that he spoke with Trump about the matter, explaining to the North American that the continent is a peaceful area.
Therefore, it is expected that some other declaration aimed at strengthening dialogue and peace on the continent will be decided within the scope of the meeting in Colombia.
Celac-EU
The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, created in 2010, brings together 33 countries with the intention of promoting dialogue on topics that concern the development of signatories, their protection at different levels and also digital transformation.
Colombia holds the rotating presidency that will be taken over by Uruguay in 2026. In 2020, the then president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, withdrew the country from the group. This year he was sentenced to 27 years in prison.
In 2023, after three years of absence, President Lula’s return also symbolized the country’s return to Celac.
Read more: Decisions in Belém could seal climate success or failure, warns Lula
The partnership between the group and the European Union brings together 60 countries representing one billion people and 21% of the world’s GDP.
According to the Secretary of Latin America and the Caribbean at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Gisela Padovan, in addition to the European Union, Celac maintains close ties with China and permanent dialogue with the African Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council, India and Turkey.
Source: vermelho.org.br
