THE HAGUE - In a preview of the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) of the European Union, Minister Wopke Hoekstra emphasizes from the "view of the Kingdom" that he is in favor of intensifying the EU's relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean:
During the FAC, High Representative Borrell will report on his visit to Chile and Panama from April 27 to May 1. In addition to several bilateral agreements, the High Representative held talks with the Central American Integration System (SICA) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and attended a joint meeting of both organizations. During these meetings, the High Representative discussed, inter alia, the Russian aggression against Ukraine and drew attention to the importance of the rule of law.
The Cabinet attaches value to this visit by the High Representative, also from the perspective of the Kingdom, because it is in line with the Union's wish to further intensify relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC region). The LAC region is of strategic importance for Europe, partly because of shared values and cooperation in international fora, the presence of important raw materials, climate and intensive historical and social ties. In addition, there is a lot of cooperation in the field of democratization, human rights and the fight against organized crime and subversion. At a time when the geopolitical panels are in flux, it is very important to maintain ties with this region. This visit by the High Representative contributes to that.