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The European Union and Latin American and Caribbean countries (LAC) have agreed on enhanced cooperation to increase social cohesion by fighting poverty, inequality and exclusion. In a common declaration signed at the fifth EU-LAC summit on 16 May in Lima (Peru) heads of state and government from the 27 EU member states and 33 LAC countries expressed their determination to "foster the welfare of our peoples in order to achieve more inclusive and cohesive societies". In this context, they confirmed their intention to meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals before 2015. They will continue joint efforts to eradicate hunger, improve basic, secondary and professional education as well as to foster stable economic growth and employment in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially through increased trade between the two regions. In order to achieve the goals of set under this "Lima Agenda", EU and LAC countries will intensify their existing strategic partnership.

The summit furthermore underlined the importance of sustainable development as a pre-condition to poverty alleviation. They reaffirmed their commitment to full implementation of international environmental agreements, especially the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol and the Convention on Biological Diversity. EU and LAC countries will enhance their co-operation on climate change and energy issues as well as on the protection of biodiversity, forests, fisheries and water resources. In particular, they announced the launch of a joint environment programme (called "EUrocLIMA") with the objective of sharing knowledge and ensuring synergies and the coordination of current and future actions against climate change.

An EU-LAC summit takes place every two years, alternately in Europe and in the LAC region. It is an occasion to develop the strategic partnership between the two regions which was initiated at their first summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1999. Since then, relations have evolved steadily, reflecting the growing importance of the LAC region on the world stage. The EU is the main foreign investor in the LAC region, its second-largest trading partner and, with 1.2 billion euros per year, also the leading provider of development assistance.

A sustainable use of pesticides

The European Union is aiming for a significant reduction in hazards from the use of pesticides. The Agriculture Council meeting on 19 May adopted a common position on a draft directive on this important issue.

The new instrument should cut down risks from pesticide use in various ways. Importantly, member states will be required to establish national action plans to decrease the impact of pesticides on human health and the environment. They should arrange training for distributors and professional users of these products and set up awareness campaigns to inform citizens on pesticide dangers. At the point of sale, advice on safety aspects should be given to users. Aerial spraying of these substances should generally be prohibited, but some derogations would still be allowed. Specific measures, such as the establishment of buffer zones, should be taken to protect supplies of water and aquatic environments. In places where the general public runs a high risk of exposure, such as public parks and children's playgrounds, additional restrictions should be applied.

Member states should encourage low-pesticide-input pest management, in particular Integrated Pest Management, which uses a range of complementary, including non-chemical, pest control measures.

This directive will be adopted under the co-decision procedure, therefore it requires approval by the European Parliament.

More information:

Council Press release (pdf)

Council webcast of press conference

Upcoming events

Education, Youth and Culture Council, 21-22 May

General Affairs and External Relations Council, 26-27 May