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During bilateral, Italian president supports Brazilian priorities at the head of G20
Presidents Sergio Mattarella (Italy) and Lula during a bilateral meeting the Planalto Palace: integration and consensus. Image: Ricardo Stuckert / PR
Support for the Global Alliance against Hunger. Agreement on the need to reform the management of multilateral institutions. Support for the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur. Celebration of the long history of tradition and cultural and economic closeness between Brasil and Italy. In sum: consensus marked the bilateral meeting between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Italian President Sergio Mattarella held on Monday, July 15, at Planalto Palace.
World hunger is an eminently political problem. There is enough food to feed the entire population" - Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brasil
Priority topics of the Brazilian presidency at the head of the G20, the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty and the reform of global governance institutions made up a good part of the conversation. "World hunger is an eminently political problem. There is enough food to feed the entire population," said Lula, who was praised by Mattarella. The Italian leader reiterated his support for the Brazilian initiative, also within the scope of the G7.
Lula highlighted the limitations of the United Nations (UN) Security Council in the face of more recent armed conflicts, especially to prevent and end wars such as in Gaza and Ukraine. “To us, peace is the only possibility the world has to move forward. War is simply destruction,” said the Brazilian leader.
Mattarella said he agrees that multilateralism needs strengthening and that he fully agrees with the need to reform the UN to make it more effective. He argued that, to achieve this goal, it is crucial to be calm and resolve crises that have torn apart the fabric of international law and human rights.
We are united not only by our communities and economic relations, but by basic values such as promoting peace, fighting hunger, multilateralism, democracy, human rights and rejecting all forms of violence" - Sergio Mattarella, President of Italy
"We are united not only by our communities and economic relations, but by basic values such as promoting peace, fighting hunger, multilateralism, democracy, human rights and rejecting all forms of violence," said the Italian leader.
MERCOSUR — Lula and Mattarella also agreed on the benefits of the Mercosur-European Union (EU) agreement. The Brazilian president reiterated concluding the instrument depends on the internal coordination of the European Union. In his opinion, negotiations should gain strength again now that the bloc's elections have passed. Mattarella defended the agreement as "a true instrument of cooperation and peace" and welcomed President Lula's leading role on the issue.
ECONOMY — The Brazilian president also addressed the significant job creation, inflation control and resumption of social programs during his third term and Brazilian prestige abroad, as well as the cleaning of the Brazilian energy matrix and the fundamental role of the country in the just energy transition. “I am happy that Italy is participating in this energy transition process in Brasil,” he said.
Além do combate à fome, outra causa que une Brasil e Itália é a da transição justa, em especial a convicção no potencial da bioenergia. Vamos seguir trabalhando juntos na Aliança Global para os Biocombustíveis para disseminar o conhecimento e a tecnologia necessários para ampliar…
— Lula (@LulaOficial) July 15, 2024
AFFINITIES — This was the first state visit by an Italian president to Brasil in 24 years. Lula mentioned the significant presence of the Italian community in Brazil, especially in the states of Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Currently, there are more than 35 million descendants of Italians in Brasil — the largest community outside of Italy — and more than 100 thousand Brazilian citizens in the main Italian cities, as well as the tourist flow between the two countries.
TRADITION — Brazil and Italy have a long relationship, marked by intense political dialogue, exchange of views on current international issues and social and cultural proximity. Elevated to the status of strategic partnership in 2007, the relationship with Italy is based on a wide spectrum of affinities and interests. "I hope that the visit will be a milestone in the renewal of Brasil-Italy relations," highlighted Lula.
HISTORIC MILESTONE — The visit took place in the context of the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Italian migration to Brazil and the 80th anniversary of the arrival of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force in Italy and should contribute to projecting the importance of these dates, as well as highlighting the depth and scope of relations between the two countries. Lula highlighted the immense contribution of Italians to the formation of Brazilian culture, as well as the industrialization of the economy and the unionization of workers.
TRADE FLOW — From January to June 2024, Brazilian exports to Italy added up to USD 2.3 billion, while Brazilian imports reached USD 3.2 billion. The bilateral balance registered a deficit for Brazil of USD 870.4 million, placing Italy in 6th place in the countries that most export to Brasil.
