Brazil–European Union relations

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Euro-Brazilian relations
Map indicating locations of European Union and Brazil

European Union
Brazil

Brazil and the European Union established diplomatic relations in 1960.[1] The European Union and Brazil have close historical, cultural, economic and political ties.[1] At the 1st EU-Brazil summit, in 2007, Brazil entered in a strategic partnership with the European Union, strengthening their ties.[2] This new relationship places Brazil high on the EU’s political map.[1]

Agreements

The present relationship is governed by the EC-Brazil Framework Cooperation Agreement[3] (1992), EU-Mercosul Framework Cooperation Agreement[4] (1995) and the Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation[5] (2004). The EU is currently seeking a free trade agreement with Mercosur, the regional trading bloc of which Brazil is a part.[6]

Trade

The EU is Brazil’s leading trade partner and represents 22.5% of Brazil’s total trade.[7] In 2007, the EU imported €32.3 billion in Brazilian goods and exported €21.2 billion in goods to Brazil.[7] Brazil's exports to the EU are mainly primary products (primarily agricultural) however a third is made up of manufactured products. The EU's exports to Brazil are mainly manufactured machinery, transport equipment and chemicals.[6] In terms of goods, Brazil has a trade surplus with the EU; however including services it has a deficit.[6] The EU is also a major investor in Brazil with investment capital amounting to €88 billion in 2006[7] making it the largest single investor in the country.[6]

EU – Brazil trade in 2007[6]
Direction of trade Goods Services Investment flow Investment stocks
EU to Brazil €21.2 billion €5.1 billion €5.1 billion €88 billion
Brazil to EU €32.3 billion €4.6 billion €1.1 billion €10.5 billion

Cross-border cooperation

The Oyapock River Bridge

Brazil and the EU share a 673 km border between the state of Amapá and the French overseas department of French Guiana.[8] The cross-border cooperation between the two countries has enjoyed increased vitality. This cooperation makes it possible to better integrate French Guyana into its geographical environment, to respond to the concerns of both parties about the various cross-border risks, to encourage human exchanges and trade and to develop the economy of the Amazon region, respecting the local populations and extraordinary environment. The granting to France, on the initiative of Brazil, of observer status within the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, will strengthen this cooperation. The construction of the Oyapock River Bridge over the Oyapock River, decided during President Lula’s visit to France, will make the Cayenne-Macapá road link possible.[9] The bridge is scheduled to be completed in 2010. In May 2012 Brazil sent troops to guard its border with French Guiana.[10]

History

President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy (left) with President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (right)

Since the end of the colonial period, Brazil has to this day retained a heritage of good relations with all European countries.[11] The only novel element in the idea of structuring EU-Brazil relations is therefore the EU itself, which embodies, values and wishes to further develop the systematic and ongoing organization of long-standing cooperation between the two areas.[11] Several initiatives have sought to formalize these close links at all levels, beginning with the Framework Agreement for Cooperation between the European Economic Community and Brazil in 1992.[11]

On July 4, 2007, the European Union, under Portuguese presidency, and Brazil held the 1st EU-Brazil summit.[12] The EU and Brazil exchanged views on a number of bilateral, regional and global issues.[12] They agreed to enhance their longstanding bilateral relationship and in particular to reinforce the political dialogue at the highest political level.[12] At the summit, the EU and Brazil established a comprehensive strategic partnership, based on their close historical, cultural and economic ties.[12]

In 2007, Brazil and the EU established an energy partnership.[13] The agreement aims to develop bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest, most notably in biofuels and other renewable energy sources, low-carbon energy technologies, and the improvement of energy efficiency.[13] It will also help both parties work towards increasing joint international action in the field of energy.[13]

The 2nd Brazil-European Union summit was held in Rio de Janeiro on December 22, 2008, chaired by the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and by the President of the Council of the European Union, Nicolas Sarkozy, the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Durão Barroso, and Javier Solana, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy.[14] The leaders discussed global issues, regional situations and the strengthening of EU-Brazil relations.[14]

On June 30, 2009, the European Economic and Social Committee and Brazilian Council for Economic and Social Development held the 1st EU-Brazil Civil Society Round Table.[15] The summit discussed the social consequences of the financial crisis as well as energy resources and climate change.[15]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 External Relations:Brazil European Commission for External Relations. Retrieved on 2009-07-17.
  2. ↑ Joint Statement at the EU-Brazil Summit Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Retrieved on 2009-07-17.
  3. ↑ Framework Agreement for Cooperation between the European Economic Community and the Federative Republic of Brazil European Commission for External Relations. Retrieved on 2009-07-17.
  4. ↑ EU-Mercosul Framework Cooperation Agreement European Commission for External Relations. Retrieved on 2009-07-17.
  5. ↑ Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the European Community and the Federative Republic of Brazil European Commission for External Relations. Retrieved on 2009-07-17.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Bilateral relations Brazil, European Commission
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 EU-Brazil Summit (Rio de Janeiro, December 22, 2008) Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Retrieved on 2009-07-17.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Brazil Sending More Troops to Guard Amazon Borders May 3, 2012
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on EU-Brazil relations European Economic and Social Committee. Retrieved on 2009-07-17.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 EU-Brazil Summit - Lisbon, 4 July 2007 Council of the European Union. Retrieved on 2009-07-17.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 The European Union deepens energy relations with Brazil European Union. Retrieved on 2009-07-17.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Second Brazil-European Union Summit Joint Statement Rio de Janeiro, 22 December, 2008 Presidency of the European Commission. Retrieved on 2009-07-17.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 First EU-Brazil Round Table Nieuwsbank. Retrieved on 2009-07-17.

Further reading

External links

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