The EU and Guatemala held their first round of Bilateral Consultations in Guatemala City. The meeting, hosted by Guatemala, was co-chaired by the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. Mónica Bolaños and the Deputy Managing Director for the Americas of the European External Action Service Mr. Pelayo Castro. 

This meeting follows the signature of the EU-Guatemala Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Consultations by Foreign Minister, Mr.  Carlos Martínez and the High Representative of the European Union, Mr. Josep Borrell, in February 2024 on the occasion of the visit of President Bernardo Arévalo to Brussels. 

As regards bilateral affairs, the two sides took stock of political and economic relations between the EU and Guatemala as well as their cooperation. Mr. Pelayo Castro stressed that the EU remains committed to support a positive national government agenda with a view to promoting inclusive and sustainable development in Guatemala - including through the EU’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda – as well as efforts to strengthen democratic governance, the rule of law and social justice. 

Beyond the EU-Guatemala bilateral agenda, relations at regional level were also addressed, including the follow-up of the EU-CELAC Summit held in July 2023. In addition, the entry into force of the EU-Central America Association Agreement on 1 May 2024 was warmly welcomed. This will give an important impetus to relations between the two regions and upgrade the political dialogue taking place at regional level.

In the multilateral context, participants discussed issues of international peace and security and reconfirmed their strong condemnation of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. 

The two side welcomed with great satisfaction the holding of the first bilateral consultations as a clear signal of mutual willingness to reinforce the partnership between the EU and Guatemala.