Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2007-09-25-Speech-2-256"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20070925.31.2-256"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:translated text |
"When we ask what contribution a strategic partnership between the European Union and Brazil can make to developing the relationship between the EU and Mercosur, with a view, amongst other things, to concluding the much-wanted, long-delayed agreement, I think there can only be one answer: that contribution is of major importance.
At the same time, it must be said that a strategic partnership between the EU and Brazil would always be justified and that in this matter the only flaw is the time that has already been lost. Of the four ‘BRIC’ countries – Brazil, Russia, India and China – Brazil was the only one that the EU had not held any high-level meetings with until the Summit on 4 July. That is even more of an anomaly given that Brazil is the major regional power in South America. It is a democracy, with the imperfections which new democracies tend to have, which shares our own framework of values. It is a traditional and reliable ally and an economic partner of major importance both at regional level and in terms of the global economy.
For all these reasons a strategic partnership with Brazil is justified, because this country is a strategic partner of the European Union in its own right. However, there are also other reasons for strengthening the relationship and developing a strategic partnership with Brazil. As stated in the communication from the Commission, this relationship can and must be a driving force for developing dialogue with Mercosur. The two partnerships are not in opposition to one another; they are complementary. The relationship can and must also be a factor favourable to the quest for solutions in the context of the World Trade Organization. Just as, finally, the relationship can and must be a sign that the European Union recognises the special importance of this country in international relations and is intending to take that fact into account in the context of the discussion on UN reform.
Mr President, it is increasingly necessary for the European Union to act as a global-scale economic partner and a strategic partnership with Brazil is a sign that we want to follow that path. That is the way we must go if we want to obtain an agreement with Mercosur. To exclude Brazil from privileged bilateral relations would be unfair and, above all, a serious political mistake."@en1
|
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples