Brussels, 31/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - In a communication adopted on Wednesday, the Commission is proposing a strategic partnership with Brazil at the first EU/Brazil summit on 4 July in Lisbon. Underlining the increasing role played by Brazil on the international scene, as well as its influence in regional terms and the close bilateral links uniting it with Europe, the Commission is proposing several initiatives to strengthen cooperation and dialogue in several domains and sectors.
In the political arena, the Commission is stressing cooperation to help multilateralism as a way of working to improve the UN and promote human rights. It also calls for close cooperation to meet global challenges such as the fight against poverty and inequality, environmental issues (climate change, protection of forests, water management and biodiversity) and energy security, as well as to contribute to stability and prosperity in Latin America and the regional Mercosur integration process (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela). The Commission is proposing to establish strengthened dialogue to support the conclusion of an Association and Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) with Mercosur. Negotiations in this connection were launched in 1999 but are currently stalling on trade issues.
In the economic field, in additional to AFTA discussions, the Commission intends tackling specific questions linked to trade and bilateral investments, and is suggesting the reinforcing of cooperation in the following sectors and domains: economic and financial questions, information society, air transport, maritime transport, science and technology, satellite navigation, social affairs and regional development. The Commission is suggesting action to help bring different peoples together by way of the student exchange programme, Erasmus Mundus and organising a cultural dialogue and trade round table in parallel to the summit.
The communication proposes two main recommendations to the EU27 - work with Brazil to develop a 'strategic partnership” during the Lisbon summit, and present its point of view on the scope of such a strategic partnership. It now has to be discussed at the Council. (eh)