Laura Sarabia, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia
The EU-LAC Foundation celebrated its 15th anniversary at the Hanse-Office in Brussels, reaffirming its role as a key institution in promoting dialogue and cooperation between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean. The commemorative event brought together representatives of the organisation’s Member States and featured the distinguished participation of Laura Sarabia, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, and Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a Clean, Fair and Competitive Transition.
In their remarks, both leaders highlighted the strategic importance of the EU-LAC Foundation in reinforcing bi-regional ties, rooted in shared values such as democracy, human rights, mutual respect, and a steadfast commitment to multilateralism.
Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a Clean, Fair and Competitive Transition
Minister Sarabia stated: "Since the beginning of our Pro Tempore Presidency, the EU-LAC Foundation has accompanied us with rigour, commitment and vision, helping to strengthen spaces for youth, cultural and social dialogue. Thanks to its work, the CELAC-EU Summit in Santa Marta is shaping up to be a true meeting point between peoples, not just between governments."
Vice-President Ribera recalled her involvement in the creation of the EU-LAC Foundation in 2010, and praised the organisation’s ongoing efforts: "Identifying various areas in which to strengthen ties between two continents that are, in reality, much closer than one might think — even if there is an entire ocean between them."
Speaking about the upcoming EU-CELAC Summit, scheduled for November in Colombia, she noted that both regions have "an opportunity to show, through dialogue in Santa Marta and the alignment of our agendas, just how far (…) the defence of values, freedoms, rights, democracy, predictability, and respect for the rule of law is the best response to any challenge."
Alberto Brunori, Executive Director of the EU-LAC Foundation
The event concluded with a toast by Claus Müller, Director of the Hanse-Office, and Alberto Brunori, Executive Director of the EU-LAC Foundation. Brunori expressed his gratitude to the organisation’s members, strategic partners and allies for their continued support over the past 15 years.
The commemoration also served as an opportunity to renew the collective commitment to a shared future between the two regions, reaffirming the organisation’s mission as an institutional bridge and a space for convergence.
The decision to create the EU-LAC Foundation was adopted by the Heads of State and Government of the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean, together with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, during the 6th EU-LAC Summit held in Spain on 18 May 2010. According to the Madrid Declaration, the Foundation was conceived “as a useful instrument to strengthen our bi-regional partnership and as a means to foster debate on common strategies and actions, as well as to enhance their visibility.”
