ЛАТИНОАМЕРИКАНСКАЯ ПОЛИТИКА ФРАНЦИИ: ЭВОЛЮЦИЯ В ГОДЫ ПЯТОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ

Abstract

The article examines the evolution of the French foreign policy towards the Latin America in the period of the Fifth Republic. It is noted that this policy was uneven, because it depended on the preferences of each president who plays a major role in determining the country’s foreign policy priorities. Charles de Gaulle, in the framework of his policy of restoring the «greatness» France, attached great importance to political, economic and cultural ties with Latin America and made a very important personal contribution to building up such ties. Georges Pompidou and Valery Giscard d’Estaing did not show much interest towards the region, although they encouraged trade and economic exchanges with it, allowing to sell French goods there, and in return receive row materials and semi-finished products for their own industry. On the contrary, François Mitterrand developed political and cultural relations with the Latin America countries, with the focus on supporting the «progressive» forces and democratization processes. Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy took a more pragmatic approach, but they did a lot to develop economic and political co-operation with the region both at the bilateral level and trough the EU. François Holland, who believed that the Latin America had a «great future», promoted the relations with it even more actively. At the same time, protecting the interests of French agricultural producers he practically blocked negotiations between the EU and the common market MERCOSUR on a free trade zone and association. Under Emmanuel Macron Latin America «dropped out» of French policy priorities, which led to the loss of the former dynamics of relations. The coronavirus pandemic has dealt a severe blow to mutual trade and economic exchanges. However, some prospects of enhancing co-operation still exist.