Brazil’s president criticized what he calls the “arms race” in Brussels on Monday. Lula da Silva links the Russian war in Ukraine to the growing difficulty in solving day-to-day problems given the need for defense investment.
The Brazilian president spoke at the opening session of the European Union and Latin America business forum as he believed Russia’s war in Ukraine is an aggravating factor of global uncertainty. But he understands that leaders still need to find answers to current crises.
“It is up to government officials, businessmen and workers to rebuild the road to prosperity, the resumption of production, investment and jobs,” defended Lula da Silva, admitting that the crises of recent years have only exacerbated existing problems .
“The Covid-19 pandemic has not only claimed millions of lives, but has also disrupted the productive system in the four corners of the planet, climate change emphasizes the urgency of preserving biodiversity and ecosystems, the crisis of democracy is sowing discord , violence and intolerance, subversion of living conditions in society and the planning of economic activity,” he said.
For Lula da Silva, Russian aggression against Ukraine constitutes a new factor of “global uncertainty” as it leads to the absorption of resources needed to face economic and social problems.
“The war in the heart of Europe is throwing a cloak of uncertainty over the world and channeling resources that were essential for the economy and social programs for war purposes,” declared the head of state, convinced that “the arms race makes it even more difficult to tackle climate change to cope.
On trade issues, Lula da Silva stressed that “the European Union is Brazil’s second largest trading partner”, hoping that “trade flow could cross the $100 billion mark this year”.
“A balanced agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, which we want to conclude this year, will open new horizons,” he said, after refuting the European side’s argument that Brazil should contribute to the fight against climate change.
“Brazil already has one of the cleanest energy matrices in the world: 87% of our electricity already comes from renewable sources against 27% of the world average, and 50% of all our energy is clean, while in the world the average is 15%.” , he underlined.
From Brasília’s point of view, “an agreement that ensures that the parties remain capable of responding to current and future challenges” is essential.
“Brazil has a large internal market of 203 million people, with a huge consumption capacity that is still suppressed, which will require more investment in durable goods, inputs and related services,” stressed Lula da Silva.
Source: DN
