Luxembourg Calls for Women Rights, Climate Action at EU-CELAC Meeting in Buenos Aires

On Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 October 2022, Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, took part in the third ministerial meeting between the European Union (EU) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which was held in Buenos Aires in the Argentina.

The ministerial meeting, which brought together 53 countries, was co-chaired by the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and by the Foreign Minister of the Argentina, Santiago Cafiero. It was intended to strengthen the EU-CELAC partnership and to look into its future, especially in the current context of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Ministers notably discussed the overall consequences of the war in Ukraine and ways to strengthen multilateralism and EU-CELAC cooperation within international fora. The meeting also provided an opportunity to take stock of the implementation of the EU-CELAC partnership, including in the field of digitalisation and environmental protection.

In his speech, Minister Asselborn said: “Russia's aggression against Ukraine has brutally exposed the vulnerabilities of our world order. This is not a European war. It is a threat to the fundamental principles of international law. Peace will not fall from the sky. Russia attacked Ukraine. Russia must stop this attack. It is then that a chance will be given for peace".

“It is clear for Luxembourg that democracy will not be complete until the full participation of women and girls in the public and private spheres is achieved. This is why Luxembourg pursues a feminist foreign policy, recognising that the rights of women and girls are an integral part of the promotion of human rights", underlined Minister Asselborn.

Minister Asselborn also discussed the experiences of the two regions in managing migration, which must give rise to an exchange of experiences, and affirmed: "One thing is certain: closing the doors is neither an option nor a solution". Minister Asselborn concluded by indicating that the EU-Mercosur agreement would be beneficial for both the regions, and recalled that together they must agree on additional commitments concerning the implementation of the Paris agreement and the fight against climate change.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Asselborn held numerous meetings with his counterparts from the CELAC region, to strengthen bilateral relations and take stock of the most pressing issues on the regional and international agenda. In this context, Minister Asselborn notably met the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Argentina, Santiago Cafiero, of the Republic of Costa Rica, Arnoldo André Tinoco, of the Republic of Chile, Antonia Urrejola, and of Ecuador, Juan Carlos Holguin.