Divisions over the Ukraine war cause a rift at EU-LatAm summit that was supposed to be a love-in
Divisions over the Ukraine war cause a rift at EU-LatAm summit that was supposed to be a love-in
Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez, Saint Vincent and Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, from left, gather following a joint news conference at the end of the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, shakes hands with Chile’s President Gabriel Boric prior their bilateral meeting during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool)
France’s President Emmanuel Macron talks to journalists during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, second right, and Chile’s President Gabriel Boric, second left, sit during their bilateral meeting during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool)
Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali andBarbado’s Prime Minister Mia Mottley, from left, talk at the roundtable during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, center, and European Council President Charles Michel gesture during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Paraguay’s President Mario Abdo Benitez, left, talks to Secretary General of the International Italian-Latin American Organization Antonella Cavallari at the roundtable during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
France’s President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he talks to journalists during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, center, arrives for the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left, talks to Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the roundtable during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, shakes hands with Suriname’s President Chan Santokhi during a round table meeting at the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, left, Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, right, and Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo talk at the roundtable during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, speaks as Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness listens to her, during a round table meeting at the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
France’s President Emmanuel Macron talks to journalists during for the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Paraguay’s President Mario Abdo Benitez, left, talks to Dominican Republic’s President Luis Abinader Corona at the roundtable during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Brazil’s President Lula da Silva, left, talks with Chile’s President Gabriel Boric during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Saint Vincent and Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves talks to journalists during a joint news conference with European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez at the end of the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Saint Vincent and Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, left, talks next to European Council President Charles Michel during a joint news conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez at the end of the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
France’s President Emmanuel Macron talks to journalists during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez, Saint Vincent and Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, from left, gather following a joint news conference at the end of the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez, Saint Vincent and Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, from left, gather following a joint news conference at the end of the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, shakes hands with Chile’s President Gabriel Boric prior their bilateral meeting during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool)
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, shakes hands with Chile’s President Gabriel Boric prior their bilateral meeting during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool)
France’s President Emmanuel Macron talks to journalists during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
France’s President Emmanuel Macron talks to journalists during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, second right, and Chile’s President Gabriel Boric, second left, sit during their bilateral meeting during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool)
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, second right, and Chile’s President Gabriel Boric, second left, sit during their bilateral meeting during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool)
Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali andBarbado’s Prime Minister Mia Mottley, from left, talk at the roundtable during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali andBarbado’s Prime Minister Mia Mottley, from left, talk at the roundtable during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, center, and European Council President Charles Michel gesture during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, center, and European Council President Charles Michel gesture during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Paraguay’s President Mario Abdo Benitez, left, talks to Secretary General of the International Italian-Latin American Organization Antonella Cavallari at the roundtable during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Paraguay’s President Mario Abdo Benitez, left, talks to Secretary General of the International Italian-Latin American Organization Antonella Cavallari at the roundtable during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
France’s President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he talks to journalists during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
France’s President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he talks to journalists during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, center, arrives for the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, center, arrives for the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left, talks to Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the roundtable during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left, talks to Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the roundtable during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, shakes hands with Suriname’s President Chan Santokhi during a round table meeting at the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, shakes hands with Suriname’s President Chan Santokhi during a round table meeting at the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, left, Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, right, and Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo talk at the roundtable during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, left, Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, right, and Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo talk at the roundtable during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, speaks as Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness listens to her, during a round table meeting at the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, speaks as Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness listens to her, during a round table meeting at the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
France’s President Emmanuel Macron talks to journalists during for the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
France’s President Emmanuel Macron talks to journalists during for the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Paraguay’s President Mario Abdo Benitez, left, talks to Dominican Republic’s President Luis Abinader Corona at the roundtable during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Paraguay’s President Mario Abdo Benitez, left, talks to Dominican Republic’s President Luis Abinader Corona at the roundtable during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Brazil’s President Lula da Silva, left, talks with Chile’s President Gabriel Boric during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Brazil’s President Lula da Silva, left, talks with Chile’s President Gabriel Boric during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Saint Vincent and Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves talks to journalists during a joint news conference with European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez at the end of the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Saint Vincent and Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves talks to journalists during a joint news conference with European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez at the end of the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Saint Vincent and Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, left, talks next to European Council President Charles Michel during a joint news conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez at the end of the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
Saint Vincent and Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, left, talks next to European Council President Charles Michel during a joint news conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez at the end of the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
France’s President Emmanuel Macron talks to journalists during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
France’s President Emmanuel Macron talks to journalists during the third EU-CELAC summit that brings together leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)
BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union and Latin American leaders concluded a summit that was supposed to be a love-in after eight years of separation, but instead ended Tuesday with aggravation over the failure to unanimously support even a bland statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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Europe’s fervent support of Ukraine clashed with the more distant or neutral approach pervasive in the 33-nation Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. What should have been a mere detail in a landmark summit celebrating economic ties and fresh investment became its encompassing theme.
In the end, the shadow of Russian President Vladimir Putin hovered over the two-day meeting because Nicaragua refused to join 59 other nations, including Cuba and Venezuela, in a common criticism of the war.
“All the select members are aligned except Nicaragua,” French President Emmanuel Macron said. “I do respect the internal process not to outvote just one member.”
There also was criticism and disappointment on the Latin American side.
“We’re very sorry for the situation. And really, I mean, we’re very surprised that there are members of our group which oppose any resolution concerning this war,” said Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren. “It’s a war of aggression.”
Common conclusions are traditionally issued at the end of such summits, and Tuesday’s lack of such a statement dampened a meeting that otherwise was a warm blanket of words and commitments between trusted partners from each side of the Atlantic.
Instead of a clear condemnation of Russia that the EU wanted, the statement endorsed by all countries except Nicaragua would merely have expressed “deep concern on the ongoing war against Ukraine.”
It was a standoff over an issue that a vast majority of the 60 nations attending had already expressed common views in several votes at the United Nations and other international institutions.
Even beyond the war in Russia, some divergences stood out. While the 27-nation EU focused on new economic initiatives and closer cooperation to stave off surging Chinese influence in the region, several CELAC leaders brought century-old recriminations over colonialism and slavery to the table.
With such distractions, long-stalled trade agreements — such as a huge EU-Mercosur deal — made little to no palpable progress, beyond promises that they could be wrapped up within months.
If something were on show, it was Central and South America’s increased confidence, boosted by a huge injection of funds from China and the knowledge that their critical raw materials will become ever more vital as the EU seeks to end an excessive reliance on Beijing’s rare mineral resources.
Their last such encounter was in 2015, and since then the COVID-19 pandemic and Brazil’s three-year departure from CELAC had made the Atlantic Ocean separating the two sides seem wider.
Now the next summit is set for 2025 already, in Colombia.