Setting the Stage for a New Chapter in EU-CELAC Relations At the inaugural EU-CELAC Ministerial Meeting on Research and Innovation held in Brussels on 29 September 2025, Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva outlined a vision to deepen cooperation between the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). Emphasizing mutual benefits, Zaharieva highlighted the necessity for tangible outcomes that enhance both regions' economies and address dependencies amid global instability.
Concrete Initiatives and Funding Commitments Zaharieva referenced successful collaborative projects like the ZIKAlliance, which united European and Latin American researchers to combat the ZIKA virus, and SolutionsPlus, promoting e-mobility for cleaner cities across Uruguay, Ecuador, and Europe. Building on such initiatives, she disclosed that Horizon Europe’s upcoming Work Programmes include a regional initiative for Latin America and the Caribbean, aiming to mobilize public and private resources. The EU-LAC Interest Group, comprising 28 funding agencies from both continents, is expected to channel €10 million annually into joint research actions.
Policy Orientation and Political Implications The Commissioner stressed strategic cooperation in areas spanning health, climate, energy, and artificial intelligence in science, signaling a policy orientation toward intensifying EU-CELAC collaboration with a focus on innovation ecosystems. This orientation suggests strengthening EU influence in global research while promoting inclusivity and openness—contrasting a protectionist approach—with increased financial commitments under Horizon Europe.
Stakeholder Impact and Trade-offs EU and CELAC researchers stand to benefit from enhanced funding opportunities and increased mobility, potentially fostering scientific breakthroughs and innovation-driven economic growth. National authorities in both regions may face administrative demands to coordinate programs and manage funds efficiently. The EU-LAC Interest Group and funding agencies will experience amplified responsibilities in managing joint initiatives, balancing resource allocations against diverse regional priorities. Private sector actors, particularly in clean energy and biotechnology, could gain from new research outputs but may also encounter higher competition and regulatory expectations linked to collaborative projects.
Commissioner Zaharieva’s speech, while primarily illustrative of cooperative ambitions rather than prescribing detailed regulatory measures or binding targets, lays out a pathway advocating for deepened multilateral research partnerships backed by concrete funding pledges and strategic focus areas. This approach promotes enhanced EU external engagement in research innovation while balancing openness with strategic collaboration amid an uncertain global context.
← Atlas › News › Foreign affairs