Press Release: EU-Brazil: Commission proposes Strategic Partnership

The European Commission has proposed to launch a Strategic Partnership with Brazil at the first EU-Brazil Summit in Lisbon on 4 July 2007. In a Communication adopted on 30 May, the Commission highlights the increasing role Brazil plays on the international stage, its regional clout and the strong bilateral ties the country has with Europe and proposes a number of initiatives to reinforce the relations between both sides in the framework of a Strategic Partnership. The Communication identifies a wide spectrum of sectors and activities in which the EU has a major interest in strengthening co-operation and developing a deeper dialogue with Brazil. It also stresses how important enhanced dialogue could be to support the conclusion of an EU-Mercosur Association Agreement. Coming ahead of the EU-Brazil Summit, the Communication will now be discussed with the Member States and later feed the Summit agenda and help start a broader dialogue.