Minister for Foreign Affairs welcomes Ireland’s Observer State status to the Pacific Alliance

"I am delighted that the Pacific Alliance has decided to accept Ireland’s request for Observer State status.

"Observer State status at the Pacific Alliance will strengthen Ireland’s links to its members: Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru. This will build on Ireland’s strong political relations, trade ties and long-standing cultural and historical links with members of the Pacific Alliance. Observer State status at the Pacific Alliance will also support the development of stronger educational, professional and cultural exchanges with Pacific Alliance countries.

"Today’s decision is consistent with the ambition of our Global Ireland Strategy, which saw the government commit to doubling the impact of Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. It also reflects a commitment in the government’s new Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean to 2025, which will be officially launched in the coming weeks and will outline our vision and commitment to creating new relationships and reinvigorating links with this key region.

"The Pacific Alliance countries have a combined population of nearly 230 million people and represent 38% of the GDP in the Latin America and Caribbean region. In addition to trade, the Pacific Alliance deals with many other crucial areas, including preservation and respect for the environment, academic and student exchanges, cultural promotion and tourism. This decision will support the government’s efforts to increase engagement with these key countries and will enable Ireland to be a proactive participant in this important regional organisation.

"The historic links which bind Ireland with Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru are significant. In deepening Ireland’s partnerships with the Pacific Alliance countries, we are building on the strong bonds of friendship between our people."

Notes

The Global Ireland initiative aims to double Ireland’s global impact by 2025. The Global Ireland Strategy, as well as the government’s Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean to 2025, which will be formally launched in February 2022, both include the commitment to seek Observer State status at the Pacific Alliance.

The Pacific Alliance is an international organisation that promotes regional integration between its members: Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. It was officially established on 28 April, 2011 and works to build regional integration and to move progressively towards free mobility of goods, services, resources and people. There are now over 60 Observer States at the Alliance, including over 20 EU member states.

The Pacific Alliance countries have a combined population of nearly 230 million people and represent 38% of the GDP in the Latin America and Caribbean region. In addition to trade, the Pacific Alliance deals with other keys areas, including preservation and respect for the environment, academic and student exchanges, cultural promotion and tourism.