On the eve of the entry into force of the agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva praised the partnership between the blocs yesterday in Hanover, Germany, but cited “false statements” about the sustainability of Brazilian agriculture, criticized barriers imposed on national biofuel and asked Europeans to take into account Brazil’s clean energy matrix.
Lula spoke at the opening ceremony of Hannover Messe, the largest industrial fair in the world, in the German city, where he arrived this Sunday morning. The fair, which this year has Brazil as the featured country, takes place until next Friday, the 26th.
“Brazil’s invitation to the Hannover fair consolidates Brazil’s position as a reliable partner in a world of instability and uncertainty,” said the president, in his speech, which made new criticisms of the war in Iran and the international policy of Donald Trump’s government.
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Lula also criticized the “WTO paralysis [Organização Mundial do Comércio]” and highlighted the “need to refound the organization”.
“The effective incorporation of the interests of the Global South is an essential condition for multilateral arrangements to be legitimate and relevant,” said the Brazilian president.
Lula praised the Mercosur-EU agreement, in a partial way.
“In less than two weeks, an agreement comes into force that creates a market of almost 720 million people and a GDP of US$22 trillion. More trade, more investments mean new jobs and opportunities. With greater productive integration we reinforce the stability of supply chains. There are countless complementarities that have not yet been explored. Brazil can help the EU to reduce the cost of energy and decarbonize,” said Lula.
“It is essential that the bloc takes into account the energy matrix used in our processes. We still fight false statements regarding the sustainability of our agriculture. Creating access barriers to biofuels is counterproductive from an environmental and energy point of view. In 1970 we experienced oil shocks that highlighted the dangers of dependence on oil”, he stated.
Earlier, Lula met privately with Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor. The Brazilian leader, who is traveling in Europe, will also participate in the Hannover Fair tomorrow and, on Tuesday (21), he will head to Lisbon.
