“The visits reflect the objective of the EU, as well as the political priority of President Costa, of build stronger relationships around the world in a changing international environment,” the Council said in a statement this Friday, May 15.
The representative of the Twenty-seven will seek “strengthen multilateralism and create shared prosperity, “contrasting alliances with power politics.”
Costa will begin the trip on May 20, at 10:00 local time, in Guatemala City, where he will meet with President Bernardo Arévalo, in a visit that “will reaffirm the EU’s long-standing commitment to democracy and human rights in Guatemala, as well as its continued involvement as Reliable business partner and trustworthy cooperation partner”.
“Three years ago, the people of Guatemala firmly chose democracy. The European Union strongly supported the peaceful transition of power to ensure that the popular will was respected, and we fully continue committed to supporting democracy and human rights in Guatemala, in favor of the stability, inclusion and prosperity of its people,” he declared.
At the meeting, Costa and Arévalo “will explore the deepening bilateral cooperation on security and drugsalso through the EU-CELAC Coordination and Cooperation Mechanism on Drugs and the relevant regional EU programmes,” the Council added.
This approach will materialize with the signing of “a series of documents that establish concrete results in areas of joint cooperation, such as Rule of law, cybersecurity, electoral integrity and the circular economy”, specified the institution.
Costa will hold a press conference around 12:00 local time.
Summit between the EU and Mexico
Next, the president of the European Council will travel together with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyento Mexico City, where both will represent the EU at the bilateral summit with the North American country.
That forum—the first in 11 years—will reflect “the renewed momentum in relations between the EU and Mexico” with the signing of the Modernized EU-Mexico Global Agreement and the Interim Agreement on Trade.
EU Member States supported the approval of these agreements on May 11, which represents a “milestone” in moving towards “a new era of deeper strategic cooperation.”
“We open a new chapter in our association, which covers the trade and investment, climate action, sustainable development and the fight against organized crime“Costa said in a statement.
The agreements replace the current framework established in 2000 and reflect the evolution of bilateral relations towards a comprehensive strategic partnership. They seek to “strengthen political dialogue, deepen cooperation and boost trade and investment between the EU and Mexico,” noted the European institution.
“At a time of increasing global instability and geopolitical volatility, the summit will also be an opportunity to advance cooperation on joint priorities and common challenges, as well as to discuss the latest geopolitical developments,” the Council added.
One day before the summit, on May 21, Costa will deliver a speech before the Mexican Senate and will become the first representative of the European Union institutions invited to address the Upper House of the Mexican Congress.
The eighth EU-Mexico summit will begin at 10:30 a.m. local time on Friday, May 22, 2026 and will be followed by a signing ceremony and a press conference at around 1:50 p.m., while the speech before the Senate will take place at around 10:30 a.m. local time the day before.