President Lula’s press statement on the MERCOSUR-EU Agreement

I would like to greet our partners from the European Union and the members of the Brazilian delegation. By greeting the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, I extend my greetings to the entire European Union delegation. And by greeting Ambassador Mauro Vieira, Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, I extend my greetings to the entire Brazilian delegation. 

Restoring the partnership with the European Union on new foundations has been a priority since the beginning of my third term.

When I decided to resume the negotiations on the MERCOSUR–European Union Partnership Agreement, I made it clear that this process needed to be compatible with Brazil’s objectives of promoting economic growth and reindustrialization.

This agreement is the result of more than 25 years of negotiations.

Tomorrow, in Asunción, the European Union and MERCOSUR will make history by creating one of the largest free trade areas in the world, bringing together approximately 720 million people and a combined GDP of more than USD 22 trillion.

This is a partnership based on multilateralism.

We reaffirm our full respect for all the international commitments we have undertaken within the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.

The Agreement includes commitments related to environmental protection and the fight against climate change, the rights of Indigenous Peoples, workers’ rights, and gender equality.

Trade liberalization and market opening only make sense if they are capable of promoting sustainable development and reducing inequalities.

We are expanding trade and investment opportunities without compromising the role of the State in areas such as health, industrial development, innovation, and family farming.

More trade and more investment mean new jobs and new opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic.

We are already major suppliers of agricultural and livestock products to the European Union. But we will not limit ourselves to the eternal role of commodity exporters.

We want to produce and sell industrial goods with higher value added.

The Agreement includes provisions that encourage European companies to expand their investments.

Our partnership will encompass strategic value chains for the energy transition and the digital transition.

This Partnership Agreement goes beyond the economic dimension.

The European Union and MERCOSUR share values such as respect for democracy, the Rule of Law, and human rights.

More political dialogue and stronger cooperation will ensure high standards in the protection of labour rights and the defence of the environment.

My dear friends,

During my third term, MERCOSUR concluded three important trade agreements: with the European Union, with EFTA, and with Singapore.

We will continue working to open new markets and to build new partnerships around the world, particularly with Canada, Mexico, Vietnam, Japan, and China.

This will also be the guiding tone of my visit to Panama at the end of this month, where I will participate in the Latin America and Caribbean International Economic Forum.

The Agreement to be signed tomorrow in Asunción, Paraguay, is good for Brazil, good for MERCOSUR, and good for Europe.

And it is good, and very good, above all for the democratic world and for multilateralism.

Congratulations to the countries of the European Union and to the countries of MERCOSUR, and congratulations, Ursula.

Thank you very much.