Luxembourg Deepens Bilateral, Development Cooperation in Guatemala & Costa Rica

On Friday 15 November 2025, Luxembourg’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade reported on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel’s working visits to Guatemala and Costa Rica.

According to the ministry, on Wednesday 12 November 2025, Minister Bettel was in Guatemala, where he held a working meeting with the Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Ramiro Martínez. The meeting served to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in the political, economic and development cooperation fields. A letter of intent was signed, expressing the willingness of both countries to begin negotiations on a General Cooperation Agreement between Luxembourg and Guatemala. The agreement will also aim to reinforce Luxembourg’s development cooperation activities in Central America as part of a regional approach and a diversification of partnerships.

The ministry noted that relations between the two countries are founded on shared values such as the defence of multilateralism, the promotion of international law, the fight against inequality and the fight against climate change. Luxembourg supports Guatemala’s efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of law.

During the visit, the ministers also exchanged views on key regional and international issues, underlining their shared commitment to peace, stability and sustainable development. Discussions further addressed economic and investment opportunities between the two countries, notably in the field of sustainable finance. The visit also provided an opportunity for both countries to celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations.

The ministry reported that during Minister Bettel’s visit to Costa Rica on Thursday 13 November 2025, the official inauguration of the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in San José took place. The embassy is co-located within the offices of LuxDev, Luxembourg’s development cooperation agency, and serves as a regional hub, particularly for development cooperation activities in Central America.

During his visit, Minister Bettel held meetings with the President of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves, as well as with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arnoldo André Tinoco, and the Minister for Foreign Trade, Manuel Tovar. In an international context marked by unpredictability, the minister emphasised that the partnership between Luxembourg and Costa Rica is built on shared values such as democracy, multilateralism and respect for international law.

The discussions also focused on development cooperation, notably within a regional framework, as well as triangular and South-South cooperation — both essential for strengthening local capacities and promoting sustainable solutions within the region.

Minister Bettel also visited the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, where he was received by its President, Nancy Hernández López. On this occasion, the minister and the president signed the documents launching the project “Institutional Strengthening of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights”, funded by Luxembourg.

The project foresees the creation of a digital system designed to facilitate online procedures and victim participation, as well as targeted training for state, legal and civil actors. The ministry said it reflected Luxembourg’s commitment to international justice, its independence and the protection of human rights.

The visit continued with a tour of the Lloverá Foundation, a reception centre for migrants stranded in Central America. Luxembourg co-finances the emergency food assistance project hosted by the centre and implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP), which provides meals to the most vulnerable migrants. Costa Rica is at the crossroads of diverse migratory flows, largely originating from the northern part of the region.