IR G N 4 9 0

W IN TER 2 0 1 5

THE EU AND LATIN AMERICA

OUTLINE

The EU: Creation and Characteristics

Orientation toward Latin America Spain Germany France Cuba

Conclusion

WHAT IS IT?

An economic and political union of 28 member states and more than 500 million inhabitants (7.3% of world population)

GDP (in 2012) of $16.6 trillion dollars, 23% of global nominal GDP (largest in world) or 20% in PPP terms (second largest in world)

Awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2012 for having “contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy, and human rights in Europe.”

INSTITUTIONAL EVOLUTION

European Coal and Steel Community (1951)European Economic Community (1958)European Community (1967)

Single European Act (1986)European Union (1993)

Treaty of Maastricht (1993, established CFSP) Treaty of Lisbon (2009)

Original goals: Promote economic development and recovery Prevention of war/containment of Germany Halt spread of communism

KEY INSTITUTIONS

European Council (“supreme political authority,” collective head of state; convenes four times/year)

European Commission (executive arm, responsible for initiating legislation and day-to-day operations)

Council of the EU (implements policy, responsible for CFSP)

European Parliament (directly elected through PR; one-half of legislature along with Council)

Sub-areas: Schengenland (1985 = 25 member states) Eurozone (2002 = 18 member states)

ENLARGEMENT OVER TIMEECSC:

1952 = Benelux + France, Italy, West GermanyEEC:

1958 = Inner Six (above)EC :

1981 = Greece 1983 = Denmark, Ireland, UK 1986 = Portugal, Spain 1990 = Reunited Germany

EU: 1995 = Austria, Finland, Sweden

ENLARGEMENT (ii)

EU: 1995 = Austria, Finland, Sweden 2004 = Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary,

Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia 2007 = Romania, Bulgaria 2013 = Croatia

Candidates for admission: Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey

“QUALIFIED MAJORITY VOTING” COUNCIL OF THE EU

Germany, France, Italy, UK = 29 votesSpain and Poland = 27Romania = 14Netherlands = 13Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary,

Portugal = 12Austria, Bulgaria, Sweden = 10Croatia, Denmark, Ireland, Lithuania,

Slovakia, Finland = 7Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg,

Slovenia = 4Malta = 3

IMPLICATIONS

Smaller countries over-represented

Total votes = 352, majority = 176 +1

Big Four control 116 votes (39.5%), need 66 to reach majority

Inner Six control 145

INTERNAL ISSUESSovereignty vs. supranationality

Authority Identity

Asymmetries (of power, wealth) Responsibility for economic crisis Imposition of austerity plans

Dilemmas of enlargement Markets and productive capacity Social cohesion funds

Development of “foreign” policyRelationship to other institutions

NATO IFIs

ORIENTATION TOWARD LATIN AMERICA

Historic ties of Europe with Latin America Conquest and colonization Commerce and territories: Spain, UK, France,

Germany (see Modern Latin America, ch. 15) Initial focus of ECSC, EEC, EC, EU on

European integration and development During Cold War After Cold War

Only Spain with high priority on relations with Latin America (post-1986)

EU-LATIN AMERICA FTAs

Mexico (2000)Chile (2003)Colombia (2013)Central America (2013)Peru (2013)

DIRECTIONS OF POLICY -MAKING

Uploading: shaping EU policy in accord with national preferences

Downloading: national policy conforming to EU policy

Crossloading (sideways): socialization and learning among national and EU actors

Note: Complexity of policy processes

SPAIN: GETTING STARTED

Runup to Accession (1986) Redrafting foreign policy after Franco Joining EEC a central goal for reasons of domestic

politics; pro-European stance Intent: upload Latin America as priority for EU Peace process in Central America through EEC Cross-loading with France and Germany

Spain as Member State (1986-early 1990s) EC involvement in Esquipulas accords EU-Rio Group dialogue (1990) Ibero-American Summit (1991)

SPAIN: SHIFTING GEARS

Uploading after the Cold War Manuel Marín as key player Focus on FTAs Conservative party and “common position” on Cuba

(1996) “Strategic Partnership” in EU-LAC summit (1999)

Bilateral Dimensions Accessions from Central/Eastern Europe Millennium Development Goals at UN WTO instead of FTAs; EU share of LAC exports

declining Changing perceptions of EU; constraints of

downloading “Constructive engagement” with Cuba Role of Ibero-American community

GERMANY, EU, and LATIN AMERICA

Initial Posture toward EU Strong pro-European stance Advocate for Latin America (1960s-70s) Falklands/Malvinas response “European, rather than

German”Historic Involvement

Major trading partner in late 19th century Zimmerman Telegram (1917) Substantial German communities

Central America (1980-86) Protect détente in face of Reagan radicalism Maintain U.S. focus on Europe, avoid a major mistake Promotion of democracy and regional cooperation

GERMANY: SHIFTING ATTITUDES

Pulling Back (1980s-1990s) Accession of Spain and Portugal Reunification of Germany Peace accords in Central America

2010 Strategy Paper Call for stronger national voice Uphold “common position” on Cuba Acknowledgement of other actors (UN, G20, OAS) Emphasis on trade and investment

THE FRENCH CONNECTION

Historic Dimensions Links to libertadores and elites Intervention in Mexico (1861-67) Territorial possessions: Martinique, Guadeloupe,

Guiana Coinage of term “Latin America”

Political Strategems Réservoire of votes against U.S. hegemony Common Market for agricultural sector (and “banana

regime”) EEC position on Falklands/Malvinas Joint declaration with Mexico on El Salvador (1981) EEC participation in San José Dialogue, support for

Contadora Ambivalence on Cuba “Outsourcing” to EU

UPDATES: THE EU AND CUBA

1996: Council Common Position restrictions on relations pending democratic reform rejected by Cuba as interference in domestic affairs

2006-08: Power from Fidel to Raúl2011 +: initiation of reforms in Cuba

increased free-market activity elimination of exit visa release of dissidents “Ladies in White” and Guillermo Fariñas receive

Sakharov Prize2014: initiation of negotiations for “Political

Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement”

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS (i)

18 member states have agreements with Cuba

EU is Cuba’s biggest investor and second biggest trading partner (after Venezuela)

Cuba a member of ACP group since 2000EU-CELAC forum a framework for dialogues

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS (ii)

Complexity of interests and decision-making processes

Geopolitics and geoeconomics

National vs. supranational authority

Shifting coalitions vs. permanent institutions

And now? Focus on internal disputes