President Lula spoke this Saturday (20) at the Mercosur Summit, in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, and expressed frustration with yet another postponement of the signing of the agreement between the bloc and the European Union (EU).
He recalls the intentions of the agreement aimed at the economic development of Mercosur without harming sensitive sectors and that had advanced “in an understanding beneficial to both sides”, but, with the impasses of some European leaders, they failed to transmit “an important message in defense of multilateralism” and to strengthen strategic protection in a competitive world scenario over the years.
Lula says that “if there is no political will from the leaders, it will not be possible to conclude a negotiation that has been going on for 26 years”. He ends by claiming that, even without signing a trade agreement with the EU, the South American bloc will continue working with other partners.
Still regarding the postponement of the signing of the agreement, Lula says that he spoke with the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, and said that she guaranteed that she will be ready to close the negotiations in January. Meloni recently supported French President Emmanuel Macron so that the signature could be postponed and the rights of European farmers could be guaranteed.
