Europe-LatAm Focus

Europe-LatAm Focus

Member News

EU – Mercosur Trade Agreement Falls Through

The trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur in the making for 20 years and which would have created one of the world’s largest free trade zones was not signed at a December 7 summit of South American leaders in Brazil. It is unclear what the next steps will be. Read more.

EU-Chile I Decisions for a Modernised Association Agreement

The new agreement will strengthen EU-Chile political and economic relations and deepen cooperation and trade. It will help to jointly address new global challenges such as the repercussions of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including global inflation, supply chain disruptions and the energy crisis. Read more.

EU – CELAC I Colombians and Peruvians Lodged Twice as Many Applications, Year-on-Year

Analysis released by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) suggests that EU+ asylum authorities are under increasing pressure from the number of asylum applications they are receiving. In May 2023, some 87 000 applications were lodged, up by a quarter compared to the previous year. Venezuelans, Colombians and Peruvians lodged 7 100, 6 900 and 2 500 applications apiece, all down slightly from recent peaks but majorly increased compared to May 2022 (+45 %, +90 % and +109 %, respectively). Th...

EU – CELAC – EIB announces s€800 Million in Financing for Climate Action Projects in Argentina, Brazil and Chile at EU-CELAC Summit

As part of the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative, everal loans in Argentina, Brazil and Chile were announced including: a €200 million loan to Banco del Estado de Chile, guaranteed by the EU, to finance mortgages for approximately 2,600 new housing units with improved energy efficiency standards; €300 Million to Banco Santander Brasil for Small-Scale Solar Energy Investments. As part of the Global Investment Strategy, and more. Read more.

Chile: EU, EIB and KfW to Finance Renewable Hydrogen Projects

With an investment of up to EUR 216.5 million, the platform will support the decarbonisation of Chile’s economy, creating green jobs and generating business opportunities for Chilean and European companies while also helping Europe meet its import demand for renewable hydrogen. Read more

EIB and Mexico Reinforce Partnership to Finance Country’s Sustainable Development

The agreement will give fresh momentum to the existing strategic partnership between the European Union, the EIB and Mexico. It highlights the key target priority areas of common interest that will be supported under a long-term cooperation initiative, through which appropriate and affordable sustainable finance instruments will be made available to support relevant initiatives. The agreement also paves the way for the creation of a technical working group for collaboration on Mexican programs a...

GT I The State of M&A in Latin America

In this two-part discussion, Greenberg Traurig Latin America Practice Shareholder Oscar Stephens speaks about general trends in M&A activity in Latin America, what opportunities exist today, and what is the outlook for Latin America in the near term. Read more. Compliments Greenberg Traurig

EU-LAC I Third Joint Council Held in May

High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell represented the EU at the third Joint Council established by the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA). The visit to Cuba was part of EU outreach to Latin American and Caribbean countries in the run-up to the upcoming EU-CELAC Summit to take place in Brussels on 17-18 July. Read more.

EU-LAC I EIB Office Opens in Brazil

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the world’s largest international public bank, formally opened its first office covering Brazil at a launch event in Brasilia. The new EIB office will be located on the premises of the EU Delegation and will expand the European Union’s partnership with Brazil, further increasing operational capacity under its new EIB Global branch and developing closer relations with national authorities, project promoters, local organisations and financial institutions. Read ...

EU – Latin America and Caribbean high-level pharmaceutical forum to promote local manufacturing

Organised in hybrid format in Brussels and online on March 21st, the forum brought together political leaders, technical experts, pharmaceutical companies, entrepreneurs, investors, and financing institutions from Latin America and the Caribbean and the EU to explore new ways to collaborate and improve access to quality, safe, effective and affordable pharmaceutical innovations across the two regions. Read more.

UE y América Latina y el Caribe: de socios naturales a socios preferentes

UE y América Latina y el Caribe: de socios naturales a socios preferentes.2023 es un año clave para el relanzamiento de las relaciones entre la UE y América Latina y el Caribe. El 24 y 25 de marzo participaré en la XXVIII Cumbre Iberoamericana que tendrá lugar en Santo Domingo. Este encuentro con los líderes iberoamericanos se enlaza con la Cumbre UE-CELAC del próximo mes de julio en Bruselas. La confluencia de dos cumbres este semestre demuestra el interés compartido en reactivar la “otra relac...

EU-Ecuador I EIB provides $100 million to back childhood vaccination campaign

The loan will support the Todo Campeón se Vacuna vaccination campaign, contributing to the purchase of vaccines but also to strengthening cold chain and logistics for distribution to remote areas through the purchase of medical items and equipment, and medical IT tools. This financial support will improve future pandemic preparedness, the long-term resilience of the healthcare system and the delivery of essential public health services. Read more.

Meeting of the European Union-Mercosur Chief Negotiators

Facing the new global political and economic scene, and mindful of the strategic importance of the bi-regional relationship, discussions focused on the three dimensions of sustainable development (economic, social and environmental) as a framework for deepening the bi-regional partnership. Read more.

Latin America – 5 Trends to Watch

Natural Resources Supporting Post-Carbon Economy May Attract Investors; Strong U.S. Dollar May Lead to Weaker Currencies in Region; Consumer Demand Could Buoy Fintech/Financial Services Sectors; Opportunities for Engineering, Construction Firms to Build Infrastructure; Political Unrest Could Slow Foreign Investment. Read more.
Compliments Greenberg Traurig

Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate Launched

Co-lead by Ecuador, the EU, Kenya, and New Zealand, this Coalition will promote trade and investment in goods, services and technologies that help mitigate and adapt to climate change. Other countries include Barbados, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United States. Read more.

OECD-LatAm I Competition Trends in Latin America and the Caribbean 2022

Competition policy in Latin America and the Caribbean has grown significantly in the past two decades. This report presents some of the main competition enforcement trends in the region based on an analysis of data provided by 14 OECD and non-OECD jurisdictions about their competition enforcement activity from 2015-20. Read more.