27 October 2023. The first round of Bilateral Consultations between El Salvador and the European Union (EU) took place on 27 October 2023, in the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of El Salvador.

On the Salvadoran side, the meeting was chaired by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Adriana Mira, accompanied by a delegation from various units of the Salvadoran Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The EU was represented by the Managing Director for the Americas of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Mr. Brian Glynn, who was accompanied by members of the Delegation of the European Union to El Salvador, including the Head of Mission, Ambassador Mr. François Roudié. The European Commission's Directorate General for Trade (DG-Trade) was virtually represented.

Both Parties:

1. Underlined that El Salvador and the European Union are reliable partners sharing a strong multi-level relationship, founded on common values and principles.

2. Welcomed the impetus given by the Memorandum on Bilateral Consultations to this partnership, its signature and operationalisation demonstrate the firm commitment to improve the relationship, through a framework of regular, structured and frank dialogue.

3. Reiterated the will to maintain and strengthen spaces for direct rapprochement between El Salvador and European institutions, in order to elucidate, on a truthful and legitimate basis, issues of interest on the common working agenda.

4.  Underlined the accompaniment provided by the European Union to the electoral processes in El Salvador, through the deployment of Electoral Observation Missions (EOMs) in 2018, 2019 and an Election Expert Mission in 2021. In this perspective, and as was the case for the 2021 elections, for the February 2024 elections, an EU Election Expert Mission will analyse the electoral system and provide further recommendations.

5. On economic matters, they welcomed the progress in trade relations, fostered by the implementation of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America (EU-CA AA), identifying actions to amplify its benefits, such as opportunities for advice on the application of regulations for the entry of Salvadoran products into the European market.

6. Stressed the importance of promoting the ratification process of the EU-CA AA, in order to achieve the full validity of the three pillars: trade, political and cooperation.

7. Expressed their satisfaction with the support provided in the framework of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda for El Salvador, recognising the contribution it will make to the actions implemented by the Salvadoran Government in favour of connectivity, sustainable transport and innovation.

8.  Recognised the important role of the European Union as an ally of El Salvador to achieve its national development objectives, through a historic cooperation relationship currently channelled through the Multiannual Indicative Programme 2021-2027, with an initial amount of €59 million.

9. At the sub-regional level, they praised the good results obtained in the V Joint Committee of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Central America, held on 26 October 2023, under the coordination of El Salvador on behalf of the Central American region.

10. Reaffirmed the solidarity support of the European Union to the institutional framework of the Central American Integration System (SICA).

11. Underlined the relaunching of the CELAC-EU dialogue as an opportunity to raise the various areas of the bi-regional relationship to the level of the current international context, in line with the shared interest of achieving an equitable and supportive multilateralism.

12. Discussed the current geopolitical situation.

13. Shared the climate commitments and goals for the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, stressing a call to strengthen efforts to comply with the Paris Agreement, based on the principle of shared but differentiated responsibilities.

14. Expressed their appreciation for this meeting as evidence of the good state of the relationship between both sides, and optimism about its strengthening in the short, medium and long term.

15.  Welcomed the agreements and progress made at the first Bilateral Consultation, expressing their commitment to follow up on existing joint projects and initiatives, as well as to continue strengthening multilevel relations.

16. Agreed to hold the II Bilateral Consultations in 2025, in the city of Brussels.