EU & Latin America talk trade and crime

The 2019 EuroLat plenary takes place in Panama this year tackling topics of trade talks and fighting organized crime.

The talks bring together 150 members of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat), 75 MEPs and 75 representatives of the Latin American and Caribbean parliaments, on December 12th and 13th for the 12th plenary session.

This will be the first EuroLat meeting since the European elections in May 2019 with many new members along side a new European co-president, Javi López (S&D, ES) and Latin American co-president (Chilean senator) Jorge Pizarro.

European Parliament news reports " since the last EuroLat meeting, more than a year ago, the political landscape in Latin America has changed dramatically, and several countries in the region are experiencing unrest." 

There is a growing public concern about international trade agreements, so topics like how to increase transparency and legislative scrutiny are key parts of the conversation. It will also be debated, how to improve international cooperation on criminal justice. Challenges caused by the expansion of digital platforms will be another topic on the agenda.

The Assembly will be opened by Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, President of the Republic of Panama, and Josep Borrell, the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, via a video message. Co-presidents Javi López and Jorge Pizarro will also take part.

Following the inaugural session there will be a press conference, with López and Pizarro.