Lula and President of France Emmanuel Macron join forces against illegal mining

During a meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy this Friday, June 14, the presidents of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and France, Emmanuel Macron, resumed discussions of joint efforts to fight illegal mining in Brazil and French Guiana. During Macron's visit to Brazil in March, both leaders signed an agreement to address security, environmental and public health risks in the transborder region.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to cooperating bilaterally and regionally in the Guiana Shield region to combat transborder crime, especially illegal mining and trafficking of timber and endangered local species. Both agreed to cooperate in areas of police and intelligence, as well as other issues of common interest.

Lula and Macron discussed other bilateral initiatives, including a cultural year of Brazil in France and of France in Brazil. On June 19, Casa do Brasil in France will be celebrating its 65^th anniversary.

That celebration will take place at Sala Lucio Costa, marking the launch of the activities for the Year of Brazil in France and of France in Brazil, from May to December 2025. The festivities program for May and June includes seminars, theatrical performances, a music and culinary festival and a debate on Brazilian literature.

The presidents also recalled Macron's visit to Brazil and the defense and economic initiatives they launched. Macron also invited Lula for a state visit to France.

President Lula’s agenda on Friday also included bilateral meetings with the representative of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen; with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi; with the President of Türkiye, Recep Erdoğan; and with Pope Francis.