Study on Latin America, the Caribbean and Central and Eastern Europe: Potential for Economic Exchange

The year 2014 marks ten years since the European Union’s (EU) first great eastward expansion. During this time major changes have taken place in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) as well as at international level. These have altered the relationships between and perceptions of the protagonists in both regions. Entry into the European Community has been main agent to change for countries of Central and Eastern Europe and has determined the vast majority of political priorities, but their new position as Member States has also opened up other regions to them, with which either they previously had few links or the links has been severed by political difficulties. On their side, Latin America and the Caribbean has enjoyed a period of growth and stability over the last decade, which has allowed it to position itself as an emerging region and open itself to new ways of integrating into the International scene. This study aims to analyse the impact that accession to the EU has had on relations between Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries and LAC countries and the opportunities which present themselves looking beyond the difficulties caused by the economic crisis which started in 2008.