The EU and CELAC make up their clash over Ukraine with a minimum pact without condemning Russia

At the end of a long day of negotiations, the two blocs have disguised their differences with some minimum conclusions that they limit themselves to expressing their “great concern” about the conflict, but without expressly condemning the Kremlin. Moreover, without any mention of Russia. Even so, the Sandinista government of Nicaragua, with close ties to Moscow, has refused to sign the text.

“I told Charles (Michel, the president of the European Council): We cannot turn this summit between the EU and CELAC into a summit on Ukraine. But it is clear that Ukraine is a matter of great importance for Europe and for the world. Other Conflicts Too“, pointed out in the final press conference the president of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalveswho occupies the rotating presidency of CELAC.

Differences over the Ukrainian war have weighed down the ‘reunion’ that the EU and CELAC They intended to stage in Brussels after eight years without summits at the highest level. And they have prevented the president from being invited to the summit Volodimir Zelensky. For Europeans, Russia’s aggression constitutes an existential threat and hence their unwavering support (political, economic and military) for the kyiv government.

[Sánchez abandona la cumbre UE-América Latina en Bruselas para asistir a un mitin en San Sebastián]

In contrast, although most Latin American countries condemned the Russian invasion at the UN, they have avoided joining the sanctions against Moscow or the shipment of arms to Ukraine. And they demand an immediate ceasefire and the beginning of peace negotiations, since what worries them most is the increase in the prices of food and fertilizers.

The president of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyenassures that the “union element” on Ukraine between the EU and CELAC is “the UN Charter and international law“It is a system of rules that we all subscribe to and appreciate, because you never know if tomorrow some of us will need to appeal to the UN Charter to protect us,” said Von der Leyen.

But not even this argument by the president has served to convince the head of CELAC. “We are not children. Historically, in Latin America we have seen a lot of activities by great powers against smaller and poorer countries. And when the principles of non-interference in internal affairs or the use of force are brought up, they ignore you. But some of them these powers are now raising these same principles in Ukraine. We must get rid of hypocrisy if we want a better world“, Gonsalves has alleged.

“I want to clarify that the vast majority of CELAC countries condemn the Russian invasion at the United Nations”, the president of Argentina intervened, Alberto Fernandez, who admits that “there are some dissenting voices”. Specific, Cuba, Boliva, El Salvador and Nicaragua abstained in those votes, while Venezuela absented both times. At the end of the day, only Nicaragua has refused to sign the summit declaration and it appears as such in a footnote.

[Las diferencias sobre la guerra de Ucrania lastran el ‘reencuentro’ entre la UE y América Latina]

The only Latin American leader who has fully joined the EU position in public has been the Chilean gabriel boric. “Dear colleagues, today it’s Ukraine but tomorrow it could be any of us“, he pointed out in his speech at the summit. “The important thing is respect for international law. And here international law has clearly been violated, not by both parties. On the one hand, which is an invader, which is Russia,” he stressed.

The EU-CELAC summit has not served to give a decisive boost to the agreement with Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay) either, as the Government of Pedro Sanchez. “We take note of the work underway between the EU and Mercosur,” he limits himself to pointing out the compromise text.

France, the Netherlands, Ireland and Austria have taken advantage of the meeting to once again put their reservations to this free trade agreement that Sánchez set as a priority for the Spanish presidency on the table. For his part, the Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvahas accused the Europeans of using environmental demands as an “excuse for leading role”.

“We have all noted that we are not ready to signthe negotiators must continue their work”, said Emmanuel Macron at the end of the meeting. The French president claims to include in the pact with Mercosur “mirror clauses“The rules that we impose on climate and biodiversity on our industrialists and farmers must be respected by those who import (to the EU),” Macron insisted.

[La UE firma acuerdos con Chile, Argentina y Uruguay para el suministro de materias primas y energía]

“We want to ensure a fair, sustainable and inclusive trade relationship. The conclusion of the Mercosur-EU agreement is a priority and must be based on mutual trust and not on threats. The defense of environmental values, which we all share, It cannot be an exclusion for the leading role“, argued Lula da Silva during his intervention before the plenary session of the summit.

“We are on a good path and on a positive path due to the agreement. But a deal needs everyone to win. Because if one wins and the other loses, that’s a mockery, it’s not an agreement. And what we want to preserve is an agreement where we are all satisfied”, defended the Argentine Alberto Fernández at the final press conference. Despite this cacophony of voices, the president of the Commission has shown herself convinced that the agreement with Mercosur will be able to concluded with “success”, although no deadlines have been set.