"By proposing to strengthen links with Brazil, we acknowledge your position as privileged interlocutor, worth to join the restricted group of our strategic partners". José Manuel Barroso, president of the Commission, explains the political initiative taken today, according to which a "strategic partnership" is to be carried out with the big South American country. The details of the plan should be established during the bilateral summit in Lisbon on July 4th. In this respect, Barroso added: "Brazil is an important partner for the EU. Apart from the close historical and cultural links, we share some values with this country, as well as a strong commitment in relation to multilateral institutions, as well as the capacity to make a remarkable contribution in the management of lots of worldwide challenges, such as climate changes, poverty, multilateralism, and human rights". In the communication adopted today, the Executive insists on the "more and more important role played by Brazil in the world scenario, its weight on a regional level, and the strong links joining the country with Europe"; several common initiatives are proposed on the basis of the above, "meant to strengthen the relationships between the parties".
