BRUSSELS – St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has held talks Wednesday with the President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen.
St. Vincent and Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen ahead of their meeting on Wednesday.A statement issued following the meeting said that Gonsalves, who is also President pro tempore of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the EC president discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to the relations between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean, in view of the EU-CELAC Summit that will take place in Brussels in July.
“The President and Prime Minister expressed their will to breathe new life in the partnership between the two regions on the basis of shared values. They agreed to join forces to tackle common challenges and promote social and climate justice, fair trade and a green and digital transitions that benefit all,” the joint statement added.
It said EC president and Gonsalves also stressed the importance of strengthening bi-regional ties against a changing and uncertain geopolitical backdrop.
“They are therefore both looking forward to the July Summit, as an important political milestone in relations between the two regions and a crucial forum to discuss how to take the partnership forward.
“President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Gonsalves agreed that Global Gateway, Europe’s initiative to boost investments, will be, in part, at the center of this bolstered partnership, with an upcoming Investment Agenda for the LAC region. Work are ongoing to present this Investment Agenda in time for the July Summit,” the statement added.
This year’s EC- CELAC summit will be the first in seven years and the European Union High Representative and Vice President Josep Borrell said the EU hopes that it will re-launch bi-regional relations with Latin America and the Caribbean and institutionalize regular political dialogue.
