Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho, on the cooperation with the EU - February 23rd, 2023

I thank Mr Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, for his briefing.

The complexity of the crises we face today places enormous pressure on global governance structures. it is high time the UN is reformed to offer effective and more legitimate responses to the multiple challenges to peace and security and the demands of the developing world.

Brazil believes that cooperation with regional and sub-regional organizations, under the terms of Chapter VIII of the UN Charter, is one of the ways multilateralism can be strengthened.

We recognize the important role the European Union plays in security issues, including through its contributions to the peace operation in bosnia and herzegovina and its engagement in peace efforts in other regions, as well as its support for the sustainability of the palestinian authority.

Brazil encourages the EU to redouble its efforts in the search for a negotiated solution to the conflict in Ukraine. We believe that the EU can contribute to adequately addressing the root causes of this conflict as it has done in the past and to preventing violence from becoming normalized.

We also believe there is a need for reflection on the unforeseen consequences of unilateral sanctions. experience shows that in most cases sanctions have a limited effect on actors whose behaviour they intend to influence, while invariably harming civilian populations, including in third countries.

Close and transparent cooperation between the U.N. and the EU continues to be very beneficial to the multilateral system, and it can be further strenghtened through dialogue with other member states.

I thank you.