Following an invitation by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Portugal, José Sócrates, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, attended the first EU-Brazil Summit organised under Portuguese Presidency in Lisbon today.

Prime Minister Janez Janša, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)

 

The Slovenian PM stressed that the summit was the beginning of a strategic partnership between the European Union and Brazil. "Besides being the EU's key business partner in Latin America, Brazil is also a country that has been increasingly becoming more than just a regional player, and attaining global importance," said PM Janša.

  

According to PM Janša, this summit was also important for Slovenia as it largely outlined the main topics for the next year's EU-LAC Summit taking place on 16 and 17 May under Slovenia's presidency. "The topics that emerged quite clearly were climate change and social cohesion or, in other words, eradication of poverty," said the PM. Both topics are also highlighted in the joint statement of the summit. Brazil, which has been assuming a leading role in Latin America, has established good practices in this field, which, according to the Slovenian PM, will facilitate easier preparations for the summit under Slovenia's Presidency.

(Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)

 

The summit is also an opportunity to discuss the key global issues such as climate change, energy challenges, world trade, the fight against poverty, and effective multilateralism. PM Janša stressed that meetings between the EU and the so-called third countries – partners, which will take place during Portugal Presidency, are important as many issues opened at that time would be continued during Slovenian Presidency.

 

The Slovenian PM also attended an informal dinner with some of the other heads of state and government of EU member states. The focus, similarly to the afternoon summit, was on Latin America. As a possible issue of further talks, PM Janša pointed out the possibility of continuing negotiations on the Association Agreement between the EU and Mercosur, a strategic issue for both the EU and Latin America. "Clearly, much effort will need to be invested in this respect. This informal meeting will be a good opportunity to take a formal step forward," stressed PM Janša.