Brussels, 17 July 2023 (dpa/MIA) - More than 30 leaders of Caribbean and Latin American countries are expected in Brussels on Monday to meet their EU counterparts for two days of talks on trade, Russia's war in Ukraine, and climate change.

The first such meeting in eight years comes as the European Union turns away from Russia and China as go-to trading partners and seeks to diversify its suppliers.

Brussels has its eye on critical raw materials naturally occurring in Latin America and in high demand in the EU for the bloc's transition away from fossil fuels and towards a more climate-friendly industry.

The EU aims to sign in Brussels several agreements on energy or raw materials with Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.

EU leaders lobbying for more solidarity with war-torn Ukraine could cause friction at the meeting.

Some Caribbean and Latin American leaders have refrained from imposing far-reaching sanctions on Russia, repeatedly emphasised the consequences of the war for global food and energy prices and called for peace talks.

The EU's hopes of finalizing a free trade agreement with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay - the so-called Mercosur bloc - which has been under negotiation since 1999, are likely to play a role on the sidelines of the summit.

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen previously said that she wants to strike a deal by the end of the year.

Recent criticism by Brazil and Argentina on an addendum on climate, environment and human rights as well as opposition by some, more protectionist EU countries put a quick breakthrough in doubt.

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