High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini met today Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ernesto Araújo in Brussels

The EU and Brazil are strategic partners and have a strong trade and investments relationship. During today’s meeting, the two sides discussed the potential for deepening cooperation in a broad number of areas, including the digital economy, research and innovation and academic cooperation. Federica Mogherini reiterated the important role of Brazil in the international arena and the interest of the EU to strengthen cooperation with Brazil at bilateral and multilateral level.

 

They also reiterated their commitment to the conclusion of an ambitious and balanced EU-Mercosur Association Agreement, which would consolidate a strategic political and economic partnership between the EU and Mercosur countries. The Association Agreement is composed of a political and cooperation pillar, on which negotiators already reached a general agreement in June 2018 in Montevideo, and a trade pillar, for which trade discussions will continue today.

 

Finally, the High Representative and the Foreign Minister discussed regional developments, including in Venezuela, as well as the situation of migrants and refugees in the region. Both sides shared the need for a political, peaceful and democratic solution and agreed to coordinate their activities closely