Lula is in Belgium for the Celac-European Union Summit

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) landed this Sunday (16th) in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, where he will participate in the Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) and the European Union. In all, around 60 foreign leaders from the countries comprising the blocs are expected to attend the meeting, which will officially take place on Monday (17) and Tuesday (18).

The Brazilian delegation will take to the summit proposals to stimulate mutual cooperation in the environmental, energy and defense areas, in addition to fighting hunger and transnational crimes. The last time the summit was held was in 2015, informed Agência Brasil.

Although not among the main topics of the 3rd CELAC-European Union Summit, the negotiations for concluding the free trade agreement between the countries of the European bloc and Mercosur may be the subject of conversations. Mercosur comprises Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

According to the Itamaraty, Lula will take to the event the Brazilian position in relation to the latest requirements of the European bloc to approve the signing of the treaty – which include, among other points, the provision of fines in case of non-compliance with environmental obligations.

Lula’s official agenda released by the federal government provides for meetings with European political and business leaders. The Brazilian president will meet with the King of Belgium, Philippe Léopold Louis Marie, and with the Prime Minister of the host country, Alexandre De Croo. Commitments have also been confirmed with the representatives of Austria and Sweden.

On Monday, Lula will participate in the European Union – Latin America Business Forum, in the morning. In the afternoon, the opening session of Celac takes place. On Tuesday (18), the CELAC-European Union Summit will take place. The return to Brasilia is scheduled for Wednesday (19).