Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Monday described the return to the European Union as “extremely productive”. But speaking alongside the president of the European Commission, he criticized his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, for stressing the importance of a Brazil open to the world.
“Our country was away from any international political activity for six years, regardless of the importance of what means diplomatic relations, foreign relations, foreign trade, and we returned to the government to put Brazil at the center of the dispute for international protagonists” , began by mentioning Lula da Silva.
Lula da Silva, at the entrance of a meeting with the Chief Executive of the Community, at the headquarters of the European Commission, expressed his interest in “sharing” with the countries of the European Union “the intensity of the economic activity” currently registered “intense in Brazil”.
Aware that climate is “a matter of concern” for the European Union, Lula da Silva highlighted Brazil as “a country with a strong tendency in renewable energy production”, with figures showing that “the energy transition , the climate transition” are among the priorities of his cabinet.
“Today we have practically 87% of our renewable electrical energy, we have 50% of the renewable energy matrix, against 15% of the rest of the world,” he stressed, emphasizing that “Brazil, everyone knows, will fulfill its role in climate problem”.
“We have made a commitment to have no deforestation in the Amazon by 2030. It is a commitment, I would say, almost of faith, not only from me, but from the Brazilian people as well,” said Lula da Silva, who said the return from the Brazil to the European Union”.
However, in the debate he wants to hold with Brussels, Lula da Silva wants “the European Union to understand the need that exists in the South American Amazon”. [com] 50 million inhabitants who need dignified and decent survival conditions”.
Environmental issues are one of the issues hindering the implementation of the agreement with Mercosur, which was finalized in 2019 but is blocked pending ratification by national parliaments.
“Our ambition is to resolve the remaining differences as soon as possible so that we can conclude this agreement,” said the European Commission President ahead of the meeting with Lula da Silva, promising that the EU “will be a partner with the wish that the “agreement be mutually beneficial”.
Von der Leyen stressed that this is “the first summit between the European Union and our partners in Latin America and the Caribbean in eight years” and that Monday’s and Tuesday’s meeting will therefore have an “historical dimension”.
Noting that “the world has changed during this period”, with “a global pandemic (…), a war of major proportions on European soil and we are facing the generational challenge of climate change”, said Ursula von der Leyen the will to “work hard, hand in hand with you, to meet the greatest challenges of our time”.
“Today we want to discuss how we can strengthen the bond between our citizens, strengthen the bond between our businesses, reduce risk, strengthen and diversify our supply chains, and modernize our economies to reduce inequalities for the benefit of all.” he said. comments, regarding Brussels’ intention to diversify supply chains for the European Union.
Source: DN
