About the communication made known by the EU Executive, concerning partnership with Brazil, External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said: "Our relations with Brazil can be highly developed on a multilateral, regional and bilateral level". The strategic partnership "will allow us to intensify cooperation in crucial sectors such as energy, sea transport and regional development, at the same time creating new and lasting links between our peoples". The commissioner pointed out: "Moreover, I think that by relaunching dialogue, we shall encourage the country to make efforts for a higher regional integration in Mercosur (the common market of South America editor’s note), and to show higher openness during our negotiations". Numerous economic sectors might take advantage of closer relations: "the information society, air and maritime transport, science and technology, satellite navigation", as well as the "social questions and regional development". Finally, the Commission suggests a series of interventions meant to approach the populations through the exchange programme between Erasmus Mundus students.
