President Lula's speech during lunch in honor of the President of the Government of Spain

It is a great pleasure to welcome the President of the Government Pedro Sánchez to Brasília and to be able to reciprocate the hospitality with which my wife Janja, my delegation, and I were received in Madrid last year.

I am equally grateful to him for having welcomed me in 2021, just as I had regained my freedom.

His generosity, dynamic and combative performance in defense of democracy and social justice, are well-known characteristics of his government's actions.

Pedro Sánchez is a faithful interpreter of the aspirations of the Spanish people in a time of such rapid and extensive transformations.

You embody the progressive and innovative spirit that currently guides the life of that great nation.

Spain is one of Brazil's most important partners in Europe and worldwide, from every perspective—political, economic, cultural, and technological.

The fraternal dialogue between our governments reflects the historical closeness between our peoples.

Hundreds of thousands of Spaniards have come here and contributed to the formation of the Brazilian nationality and our development.

We share the defense of democracy and human rights, the promotion of social inclusion policies, the encouragement of economic activity, and a commitment to sustainable development.

Our countries are aligned in the defense of International Law, multilateralism, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Dear President:

As Garcia Lorca famously expressed, "The worst part of having a hope is to see it dead."

We find ourselves in a moment of international life that evokes more discouragement than hope.

Only a few times in recent history has the support among global progressive forces been more necessary and urgent.

Serious problems accumulate without us being able to envision solutions capable of meeting the interests of those who aspire to peace and development.

War, hunger, the climate crisis, political and religious intolerance, and xenophobia affect everyone, but especially the poorest.

We cannot allow hopelessness to deprive us of the will to fight for what we dream of.

Your visit today is, therefore, much more than a step towards deepening bilateral relations.

It is also an important opportunity to advance the fight against extremism and its new manifestations, which have proliferated especially in the digital world.

We need to regain optimism and confidence in finding the paths that will allow us to overcome these crises.

Democratic forces must once again be bearers of the future and restore the world’s faith in politics, in the pursuit of understanding and reconciliation.

It is up to us to prove that democracy is the best path to address the serious social problems that afflict us.

With the firm purpose of continuing to work side by side, I propose a toast to the Spanish people and to President Sánchez, and I renew, on behalf of Brazil and myself, the best wishes for a shared future.

Thank you very much.