The ninth High Level Dialogue between the European Union and Bolivia took place in Brussels on 30th January. This Dialogue is part of a series of regular meetings to review the general state of relations between Bolivia and the European Union. The meeting addressed diplomatic issues of mutual interest, sectoral dialogue and cooperation, and pressing issues on the international scene.
The European Union reaffirmed its interest in continuing to cooperate with Bolivia in support of activities related to the environment, climate change, governance and human rights. The EU aims to assist the development of Bolivia’s renewable energy resources and socially and environmentally responsible investments in critical raw materials, mainly lithium, leveraging EU funds supported by the EU-Bolivia Multiannual Indicative Programme (2021-2027, with an allocation of €134 million) and in the context of the EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda.
Both sides agreed to work together to further and diversify bilateral trade, and to enhance investment flows. The EU congratulated Bolivia upon its accession to MERCOSUR and offered to promote its incorporation in the alliance, for the benefit of the Bolivian people.
Both sides agreed that the threat posed by cocaine trafficking and organised crime is growing on both sides of the Atlantic, with profound implications for all and they recalled the importance of cooperation to tackle this situation. They also looked forward to consolidating the bi-regional response to organised crime during the Ministerial meeting of 6 March between the European Union and the Latin American Committee on Internal Security (CLASI). Additionally, they highlighted the importance to deepening operational exchanges between EUROPOL and Bolivia by concluding the negotiations of the related international agreement.
Regarding international issues, in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the European Union reaffirmed its unwavering support to Ukraine and its people and the support for a just and lasting peace, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. The EU welcomed the ceasefire and hostage-release deal in Gaza and reiterated that all the hostages should be released. Both sides stressed the urgency to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Both Parties confirmed their commitment to cooperate at regional level, notably through the dialogue between the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and expressed their desire to work for the 2025 EU-CELAC Summit in Colombia to produce concrete results, including investments under the Global Gateway Investment Agenda, for the benefit of the citizens of both continents. The EU warmly welcomed the accession of Bolivia to the EU-LAC Digital Alliance.
Both delegations agreed to maintain a permanent and regular open dialogue. The European Union and Bolivia declared their interest in facing, together, the challenges of the 21st century, to strengthen green and inclusive societies, in a context of support for multilateralism and human rights.
The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to accompany and support Bolivia’s efforts to promote development, strengthen democratic institutions and generate better living conditions for the population.
The European Union Delegation was headed by the Deputy Managing Director for the Americas of the European External Action Service, Pelayo Castro; the Bolivian Delegation was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Celinda Sosa. In the margins of the Dialogue, the Bolivian Delegation, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Celinda Sosa, met Commissioner for International Partnerships, Joseph Síkela. Foreign Minister Sosa also met the incoming Secretary General of the European External Action Service, Belén Martinez Carbonell.
