Guatemala: Lukas Mandl led the European Parliament delegation

Mandl advocates parliamentary diplomacy, including engagement with civil society and indigenous peoples, economic cooperation, and an EU with greater geopolitical power

Brussels (OTS) – Until today, Thursday, Austrian MEP Lukas Mandl led a European Parliament delegation to Guatemala.

Mandl assumed the role of Chair of the European People's Party (EPP) Group in the Committee on Development Aid and International Partnerships. In his podcast format "Mandl-Mikro," Mandl explains the importance of parliamentary diplomacy "especially for the citizens of Europe." It is "important to maintain dialogue contacts worldwide in order to prevent conflicts and contribute to stability. This, of course, always also applies to contacts with civil society. Others seek confrontation. Europe realizes cooperation," says Mandl.

The Austrian EU representative also pointed out that "economic cooperation is in the interest of all. This increases opportunities for everyone and enables positive global cooperation." Mandl explains, "in a variation of a well-known quote by Ronald Reagan," that "the best development aid is economic cooperation."

"Finally, it is important that the EU seeks cooperation with Latin America before other major players become the first point of contact for local businesses in global competition, as has long been the case in Africa. The EU can rightly be considered the first point of contact for fair economic relations worldwide. This also gives the EU more geopolitical power. The EU's 'Global Gateway' program is a step in the right direction," Mandl emphasizes.

The European representatives' agenda included meetings with President Bernardo Arévalo and several ministers, Parliament Speaker Nery Ramos and several parliamentarians, numerous representatives of international organizations, Guatemala's business community and civil society, and the leaders of the 27 indigenous communities. "We also visited settlements and EU institutions that serve the indigenous population. The indigenous population makes up about half of Guatemala's population. In particular, opportunities for education and training are of lasting importance," Mandl concluded.