Lula and the European Commission president discuss climate agenda and trade deal during meeting in Brasilia

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva received European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today (12) at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to discuss environmental preservation, the EU-Mercosur trade deal, and the possibility of negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine.

To Lula, the new environmental demands presented by the EU this year, which may lead to sanctions against Brazil, must be revised. "We cannot agree with these sanctions. We have a strategic partnership with the European Union, there can be no impositions or punishments — but negotiation", he said. "The premise that must exist between strategic partners is mutual trust, not distrust or sanctions".

The EC chief also highlighted the EU's strategic partnership with Brazil, demonstrated a willingness to negotiate the trade deal terms that are in Brazil's interest, and indicated she intends to close the deal by the end of this year. "This deal must go far beyond trade: it must represent a long-term commitment and a platform for dialogue".

Ursula also congratulated Brazil for choosing Belém to host the COP 30 in 2025 — and declared that "the European Union is willing to fulfill all the obligations arising from COPs". President Lula defended "a strong global commitment to the climate agenda, the need for governance leading to effective obligations" and stated that COP 30 will be "a great opportunity to engage the world in discussions concerning the Amazon, particularly young people".

A HISTORICAL PARTNERSHIP — Lula recalled that the strategic partnership with the European Union — signed in 2007 during his second term as president — has expanded and consolidated trade relations between Brazil and the European bloc over the last 15 years. "Our bilateral trade advances consistently, and our trade flow may be greater than USD 100 billion this year. Brazil is also the largest destination for Foreign Direct Investments by European Union countries in Latin America — concentrated in the manufacturing, digital infrastructure, and services sectors", he declared.

GLOBAL LEADERSHIP — Ursula von der Leyen highlighted Brazil's return to the international stage and Lula's global leadership, stating that the European Union wants to raise its partnerships in Latin America to a new level with a 10 billion euro investment program. This should also be the focus concerning the environment.

"Climate change is the global challenge that makes us join forces the most. I listened to your inspirational speech at COP 27, and your leadership on climate change is most welcomed. We discussed the Amazon Rainforest, which is an important part of the fight against global warming, and that is why we want to donate 20 million euros to the Amazon Fund, added to individual contributions by member countries", she declared.

The EC president also highlighted Brazil's predominantly clean energy matrix and stated that the bloc would invest 2 billion euros in the production of green hydrogen in the country.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, President Lula emphasized that he has brought up the subject of peace negotiations with South American neighbors and other countries not involved in the conflict — such as India and Indonesia — and that he will address the subject during his official visit to France, Italy and the Vatican, as well as at the next BRICS summit, in which Russia also participates. The EC president declared that she "has great admiration for how" Lula "defends international law and the UN Charter in all international declarations" and stressed that "Europe agrees with the need for a negotiated peace between Russia and Ukraine."

Lula also declared that he has solid historical relations with European trade unions and is "a profound admirer of the process leading to the creation of the European Union".