On 28 May 2024, the EU and Honduras held their first round of Bilateral Consultations in Tegucigalpa. The meeting, hosted by Honduras, was chaired by the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Gerardo Torres, and by the Deputy Managing Director for the Americas of the European External Action Service, Pelayo Castro. This meeting follows from the signature of the EU-Honduras Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Consultations by Honduras Foreign Minister, Mr. Enrique Reina, and the High Representative of the European Union, Mr. Josep Borrell, on the margin of the EU-CELAC Summit in July 2023. Participants welcomed the prompt implementation of the MoU as a clear sign of mutual willingness to reinforce bilateral relations and maintain a regular and open dialogue. 

As regards bilateral affairs, participants took stock of political and economic relations between the EU and Honduras as well as of their cooperation. On the EU side, Mr. Pelayo Castro underlined that the EU - as one Honduras’ main cooperation partners - remains committed to support an inclusive and sustainable development in Honduras based on shared fundamental principles and values, such as democratic governance, the rule of law and human rights.

Honduras currently also has an important role to play in the region as Presidency pro Tempore of CELAC and both sides discussed how to follow up on the successful EU-CELAC Summit of last year. In addition, the entry into force of the EU-Central America Association Agreement on 1 May 2024 was highly welcomed. This will give an important impetus to relations between the two regions and elevate the level of our political dialogue.

Regarding the multilateral context, participants reiterated their deep concern about the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine and highlighted the importance of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2728 on the crisis in Gaza, including reaching an immediate ceasefire.