Bi-regional summits as a platform for strengthening strategic partnership between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean in the 21st century

Resumen

The article examines the political dialogue at the highest level between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean in the 21st century. The author argues that the global transformation of international relations generated a more solid basis for reinforcing the EU-LAC cooperation in the political, economic, social, legal, cultural, scientific, and technological spheres, thus stimulating the growing coherence and interdependence of the two regions. The objective of this research is to analyze the evolution of the relationship of the LAC states with the European Union through the mechanism of bi-regional summits as the main forum for the advancement of cooperation programs in such areas as peace and security, democracy and human rights, trade and investment, innovation and education, climate change and “green economy”. For the LAC countries, the EU represents today the center of gravity, a global power holding leading positions in protecting human rights, eradicating poverty and inequality, preserving the environment, and also a reliable partner associated with significant technological and investment capacity. It can be concluded that the bi-regional political dialogue, which is considered by the parties as a platform for reaching compromises and developing mutually beneficial arrangements, will continue to progress in the future.