Lula: European Union demands for Mercosur agreement are a threat

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called the demands made by the European Union (EU) for the finalization of an agreement with Mercosur a threat. Speaking at the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact, in Paris, Lula demanded that trade agreements become fairer. “I’m dying to make an agreement with the European Union, but it’s not possible. The additional letter that was made by the EU does not allow an agreement to be made. We’re going to make the answer and we’re going to send the answer. But we need to start talking.” “It is not possible that we have a strategic partnership and there is an additional letter threatening a strategic partner. How are we going to solve this?”, questioned Lula, sitting next to the host of the event, French President Emmanuel Macron. In his speech, Lula referred to the construction of the EU as a democratic heritage of humanity. “After two world wars, you manage to build the European Union, manage to make a Parliament, manage to live with divergence, but discussing things democratically. It’s something I want for South America”. “We want to create new blocks to negotiate with the EU. So, I’m sorry World Bank and IMF [Fundo Monetário Internacional], we need to review the operation. It is necessary to have more money, it is necessary to have new leaderships, more people participating in the leadership. They cannot be the same.” “Dear Macron, thank you for this meeting. And get ready because I’m more willing to fight these next three years when I’m going to preside over Brazil. Thank you and good luck.”

Agência Brasil