Notícias
INTERNATIONAL
Lula expresses an “unshakeable” belief in Mercosur's strategic regional role
Official photo of Mercosur leaders in Asunción, Paraguay. Photo: Ricardo Stuckert / PR
Speaking on Monday in Asunción at the 64th Summit of Heads of State of Mercosur and Associated States, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stressed the importance of strengthening democracy in the continent and reinforced the strategic role of consolidating Mercosur for regional integration.
We need deep regional integration, based on skilled work and the production of science, technology and innovation to generate jobs and income. Mercosur is and will continue to be Brazil's great bet for international integration and development”
Luiz Inácio Lula Silva, President of the Republic
“My bet on Mercosur as a platform for Brazil’s development and international insertion stands ‘unshakeable.’ Our bloc is an ambitious project that has borne many fruits since its launch. Trade among us has increased tenfold, currently reaching 49 billion dollars. We need deep regional integration based on qualified labor and the production of science, technology and innovation to generate jobs and income opportunities. Mercosur is and will continue to be Brazil’s great bet for development and international insertion,” said the Brazilian president during the event in Paraguay.
>> Check out the full text of President Lula's speech
Lula also urged Mercosur countries to be attentive and work to tackle social inequalities on the continent without any setbacks. “In order to overcome scourges like hunger, poverty and inequalities, we must count on a strong Social Institute with the means to establish goals and take concrete measures. The Human Rights Public Policy Institute must dispose of necessary resources to support our countries in the complex task of guaranteeing rights and dignity,” he said.
Addressing the issue of climate change, Lula recalled the tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul, which also affected Uruguay, and warned that if concrete measures are not taken, the coming years will likely be even more difficult. The president also made a point of thanking neighboring nations for their support.
“The climate crisis is bringing us rapidly close to a catastrophic scenario. In the past year and a half, we lived through historical droughts in the Amazon, the Pampas and the Brazilian and Bolivian Pantanal, which also recently suffered from wildfires. A few weeks ago, Rio Grande do Sul suffered great human and material losses with unprecedented floods that also impacted Uruguay. In addition to thanking the solidarity of all the Mercosur partners who swiftly offered the most various types of humanitarian aid, I would like to call for greater climate engagement and ambition,” said the president.
33 YEARS – Mercosur was created 33 years ago through the Treaty of Asunción and, in accordance with the Ouro Preto Protocol, the pro tempore presidency of the bloc is held by the States Parties, which rotate in alphabetical order, for six months. At the end of the Summit, the president of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, handed over the presidency of the bloc to the president of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou.
During Paraguay's presidency, 14 ministerial meetings were held in various areas, focusing on education, health, justice, work, culture, human rights, the environment, tourism, social development and the indigenous population. Among the adopted measures was the creation of committees, one of the most important of which being the integrated border control areas.
WORLD’S 7TH ECONOMY – The economic bloc currently represents the equivalent of the world's 7th largest economy, with a GDP of USD 2.86 trillion, encompassing 67% of the South American territory. In 2023, Brazil exported USD 23.56 billion to the bloc and imported USD 17.09 billion, with a surplus of almost USD 6.5 billion. Most of Brazil's exports were industrialized products; the main goods traded between the bloc's members are cars, automotive parts, energy and soybeans.
BOLIVIA – Following the Mercosur Summit, President Lula heads to Santa Cruz de La Sierra, Bolivia, for an official visit and bilateral meeting with President Luis Arce. It will be the first time the Brazilian president visits the country in his third term. The Bolivian president, for his part, has been to Brazil four times in the last year, which reinforces the close ties between the two countries. On Tuesday (July 9), Lula will have a closed meeting with President Luis Arce, followed by an extended meeting with authorities and part of the Brazilian delegation. He will then take part in a signing ceremony and make a joint statement to the press. In the afternoon, President Lula will meet with entrepreneurs.