Lula calls for intensifying talks between Mercosul and the European Union and possible agreement with China

The president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) spoke again about the need to strengthen the integration between the Mercosul countries in a meeting with the president of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou, in the capital Montevidéu, in this fourth fair (25).

The Brazilian President Falou on the need for renewal and modernization of Mercosul. He says that it is necessary to “sit with our technicians, then with our ministers, to renew what is needed”.

He also made it clear that he was interested in expanding the discussions and dating agreements with other extra-regional blocks. Lula cited the commercial agreement between Mercosul and the European Union, which has not been negotiated for years.

“It is urgent and necessary that Mercosul agree with the European Union. He was still in his 1st term in 2003 and was already discussing the agreement between Mercosul and the European Union. No second term, it was discussed or agreed. I was out of the Presidency for eight years, I returned for a third term, and the Mercosul-União Europeia agreement is still being discussed.”

Lula said that, after signing or agreeing with the European bloc, Mercosul can move forward in negotiations with China.

“Despite Brazil having China as its largest trading partner and Brazil having a large surplus with China, we want to talk with Mercosul and discuss with our Chinese friends about a Mercosul-China agreement,” he said.