European lawmakers visit Bolivia to strengthen ties after 20-year gap

A delegation of three Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) has begun a three-day visit to Bolivia, marking the first such visit in two decades. The delegation aims to reinforce connections with Bolivian authorities and legislators, engage in dialogue on shared interests like human rights and the fight against drugs, and explore avenues for cooperation, including the exploitation of lithium.

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It has been two decades since the European Parliament visited Bolivia, and it has been a long wait, but here we are.

The mission is led by Robert Biedroń, president of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with the Andean Community countries. He is joined by MEPs Marc Angel and Sebastian Kruis. "It has been two decades since the European Parliament visited Bolivia, and it has been a long wait, but here we are," Biedroń told reporters following a meeting with Bolivian Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo. He stated that the visit seeks to acknowledge the long-standing "partnership" between Bolivia and the European Union (EU), which they hope will continue.

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Because the EU and Bolivia share the same values, we believe in democracy, the rule of law, human rights, we want to strengthen our economies, we want to serve the people.

Biedroń highlighted shared values between the EU and Bolivia, including democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, expressing a desire to strengthen economies and serve the people. He emphasized that despite representing different political parties, the MEPs share a unified message: "Bolivia is important for Europe." This importance, he explained, stems from Bolivia's distinct path in choosing its own model, which prioritizes social issues, the environment, human rights, democracy, and the economy, rather than adhering to American, Chinese, or European models.

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And the three of us represent different political parties, but we have the same message: Bolivia is important for Europe.

The MEPs' agenda includes meetings with the Minister of the Presidency, José Luis Lupo, the heads of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, and members of the Senate's International Policy Commission. The delegation will also visit Uyuni, home to the vast salt flat rich in lithium reserves, where they plan to meet local authorities and tourism associations. In La Paz, discussions are scheduled with civil organizations and a visit to an urban development project funded by the EU.

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It is not the American model, it is not the Chinese model, it is not the European model, it is a Bolivian model, it is a very special and unique model, where social issues matter, where the environment matters, where human rights matter, where democracy matters, where the economy matters.