I am writing this text a few hours after the eighth edition of the La Toja Forum concluded, which I was fortunate enough to attend once again. The Forum, whose motto is “the Atlantic link,” focused this year, inevitably, on “the world in disorder.” Organized by Spanish civil society, and for the past two years also held in Lisbon, Portugal, it brings together specialists from different fields with political leaders from various democratic parties, and enjoys the presence and support of such prominent figures as the King of Spain, the President of the Republic in the Portuguese editions, and several members of both governments and opposition parties.<\/p>\n
Why do I bring all this up? For several significant reasons. The Jos\u00e9 Piqu\u00e9 Prize, which kicks off the Forum’s work, was awarded this year to Professor Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic from 2016 to 2026. The presence of King Felipe VI, Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez, and the President of the Xunta of Galicia, Alfonso Rueda, clearly demonstrated the well-deserved recognition of the honoree, but also the importance given, both in Spain and Portugal, to the ties between the Iberian nations. On several occasions, their role as the most secure bridges between Europe and Latin America was highlighted. And, above all\u2014after so many years of attempts and setbacks\u2014the recent conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, as well as the Ibero-American Summit in Madrid, which attracts one of the largest high-level attendances, emerged as some of the few notes of optimism in this general scenario of “world disorder.”<\/p>\n
This is my point. The Mercosur Agreement has undeniable economic and commercial significance. The 27 EU Member States, together with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, represent more than 700 million people, thus forming one of the world’s largest free trade areas. The trade clauses are already in provisional application, awaiting the ratifications necessary for the remaining dimensions of the Association to come into force. It was possible to reach an understanding that not only upheld the virtues of international trade as free of barriers as possible, but also addressed genuine European concerns about safeguarding environmental and social aspects. The parties thus demonstrated willingness and a sense of commitment, negotiating skills, and mutual trust.<\/p>\n
All of this is very important. But let me say that the geopolitical framework and scope of this economic and trade agreement is even more important.<\/p>\n
First, because of the very clear affirmation, by both Europeans and Latin Americans, of their preference for dialogue, negotiation, and agreement; that is, for bilateral and multilateral dynamics. This is occurring in a context unfortunately marked by isolationism, unilateralism, and the blatant display of force.<\/p>\n
Then, because Europe, shaking off a lethargy that had gripped it, managed to regain its capacity for initiative, seeking to strengthen alliances with other international actors, beyond the usual (and undoubtedly always necessary) relationship with the United States. It demonstrated that it did not align itself with the transactionalism of the current US administration, and that it remained true to its values (and interests) as a large democratic bloc open to global trade.<\/p>\n
And above all, because the European Union and Mercosur have translated into concrete and mutually beneficial outcomes what they have in common in terms of history, culture, international standing, and vision for the future. Together, Europe and Latin America represent over one billion people, accounting for, for example, a third of the countries with a presence in the United Nations. Their responsibility for the harmonious ordering of the world is evident; it can and must be embraced with determination. Not only in the economic and commercial sphere, but also in all other dimensions of relations and affirmation, with particular emphasis on the cultural, diplomatic, and political spheres.<\/p>\n
Cooperation, therefore, in the fullest and strongest sense of the word. And, for this, the contribution of Portugal and Spain has been essential\u2014as has that of several other countries on the European side, but with particular strength, persistence, and constancy, Portugal and Spain. Not only because of our particular historical and linguistic connections (and, of course, because of the importance of the bilateral relationship we maintain with countries like Brazil and Argentina, within Mercosur, or with Mexico and Colombia, outside of it); also, and above all, because of the way we understand the Atlantic link: a link of Europe not only with the North Atlantic, but also, crucially, with the South Atlantic (which also includes Africa, although that would be a topic for another essay).<\/p>\n
It seems undeniable to me that Europe needs Latin America as much as Latin America needs Europe . The world is already, and will increasingly be, multipolar. Nations and unions between nations must cultivate multiple ties that reduce dependence on a single hegemonic power and broaden the horizons of exchange, human mobility, communication, and collaboration among people and nations.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Ibero-American Community is a particularly fortunate example, whose potential is far from being fully realized. The EU-Mercosur Agreement is a decisive step in strengthening ties, opening up opportunities, and leveraging comparative advantages.<\/p>\n
On the beautiful Galician island of A Toxa, listening to the King of Spain, the former Portuguese president, the Spanish Prime Minister, the executive secretary of the SEGIB (Ibero-American General Secretariat), the president of the Ibero-American Business Confederation, and so many other experts and officials, I was able to reaffirm my deep conviction: that, contrary to what Jos\u00e9 Saramago imagined in that great novel of world literature, The Stone Raft <\/i>, it is not necessary for the Iberian Peninsula to break with the European continent to draw closer to the South Atlantic. Quite the opposite: by remaining closely united with Europe and bringing it along in the dialogue it has practiced and continues to practice with Latin America.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I am writing this text a few hours after the eighth edition of the La Toja Forum concluded, which I was fortunate enough to attend once again. The Forum, whose motto is “the Atlantic link,” focused this year, inevitably, on “the world in disorder.” Organized by Spanish civil society, and for the past two years […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[86],"class_list":["post-487299","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ideas"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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