El Salvador: 2nd Bilateral Consultations with the EU takes place in Brussels

Joint press releaseby the EU and El Salvador

The European Union (EU) and El Salvador held their second bilateral consultations in Brussels on 11 February 2026.

The meeting took place in an open and constructive atmosphere, allowing both sides to take stock of progress in EU-El Salvador relations since the signature of the EU-El Salvador Memorandum of Understanding and the first Bilateral Consultations held in 2023. Discussions covered bilateral relations, cooperation in multilateral fora and regional issues. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to furtherstrengthening bilateral ties.

The EU and El Salvador exchanged views on progress in combating organised crime and improve the security situation, which has transformed El Salvador. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting country´s efforts toward the promotion of integral development including the prevention of violence. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to promote cooperation with El Salvador including institutional strengthening, promotion of integral development in line with national priorities, also in support of the rule of law, human rights and sustainable and inclusive development as pillars of its governance.

The EU and El Salvador also discussed possibilities to enhance cooperation in the fight against transnational organised crime, in particular drug trafficking, which undermines the security and well-being of both Salvadoran and European citizens. In line with the recent EU Strategy on Drugs, EU-Latin America cooperation was recognised as essential to effectively address organised crime.

The European Union and El Salvador reaffirmed, in a spirit of partnership and shared responsibility, the importance of protecting and strengthening civic space as a key element of democratic and sustainable development. Both parties underscored their commitment to inclusive public policy dialogue and to transparent, predictable legal frameworks that foster trust among investors and civil society alike.

Both sides welcomed the strong growth in trade flows between El Salvador and the European Union, whichhave grown significantly since the entry into force of the trade pillar of the EU-Central America Association Agreement in 2013. This increase spans agricultural and industrial goods as well as services. The parties agreed that the Agreement offers significant scope for further enhancement and that continued efforts can help businesses in European Union and El Salvador to fully benefit from it.

Discussions further focused on ways to support El Salvador's modernisation agenda and to deepen economic cooperation and on investment opportunities for the private sector under the EU's Global Gateway Investment Agenda, particularly in digital connectivity, energy integration and sustainable transport. In the context, reference was made to ongoing efforts to advance the Central America Electricity Market (MER) through regional integration and initiatives supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB), as well as to the implementation of BELLA II under the EU-LAC Digital Alliance, aimed at strengthening digital connectivity infrastructure in El Salvador

Both parties reiterated their commitment to strengthening EU-Central America relations, following the first EU-Central America Association Council held in Brussels in 2025. They underlined the importance of ensuring that the dialogue cycle delivers tangible results for citizens in both regions. The EU and El Salvador also recalled the importance to follow-up on the commitments agreed during the last CELAC-EU Summit (November 2025, Colombia) including the Alliance for Citizen Security and the Pact on Care.

The EU and El Salvador underscored the importance to continue supporting the political, economic, and social stability of Haiti, with the backing of the international community. On Venezuela, both parties underlined the importance of a comprehensive transition process towards democracy, with the participation of all relevant Venezuelan stakeholders.

Both parties expressed their deep concern regarding the ongoing war against Ukraine, which continues to cause immense human suffering,and called for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace, in full respect of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, including the peaceful settlement of disputes and the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty. On the Middle East, both parties expressed their support for the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza conflict and for United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, which provides the framework for international engagement.

The consultations were co-chaired by Deputy Managing Director for the Americas of the European External Action Service, Pelayo Castro, and by El Salvador's Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Adriana Mira. Both parties agreed to continue regular exchanges in Brussels, San Salvador and relevant multilateral fora, and to hold the third round of Bilateral Consultations in El Salvador.