Lula discusses integration projects with Bolivia’s Luis Arce

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held a bilateral meeting with President Luis Arce of Bolivia on the evening of Thursday, December 5, in Montevideo, Uruguay. The two leaders are in the Uruguayan capital for the MERCOSUR Summit, scheduled for Friday.

During the conversation, they discussed cooperation agreements and integration projects between the two countries. The Bolivian president and the Brazilian leader emphasized the possibility of Brazil contributing to strategic infrastructure projects in Bolivia, particularly in gas and electricity production and distribution.

MERCOSUR — The 65th MERCOSUR Summit marks the end of Uruguay's pro tempore presidency and the transfer of power to Argentina. Bolivia is participating for the first time as a full member of the bloc. With Bolivia's inclusion, MERCOSUR now covers 73% of South America's territory and represents approximately 65% of the population and 70% of the region's GDP. During the meeting, Panama will be officially integrated as an Associate State, becoming the first country in Central America to obtain this status in Mercosur.

AGREEMENT WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION — One of the key discussions at this summit will be the assessment of the MERCOSUR-European Union agreement, scheduled for Friday. This agreement has been in the works for more than two decades and could potentially be the largest trade deal ever concluded by MERCOSUR, consolidating one of the largest free trade areas in the world.