Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

European Council President António Costa will visit Brazil from May 27 to 29, 2025, including official visits to Brasilia and São Paulo. This visit represents renewed political momentum in EU-Brazil relations and reflects Brazil's importance as a key strategic partner. According to a European statement distributed in Brussels, a copy of which we received, the statement added, "During the visit, President Costa will meet with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and deliver a keynote speech at the inaugural EU-Brazil Investment Forum. This visit comes at a pivotal moment in EU-Brazil relations, as the two partners seek to advance shared priorities in the areas of climate action, digital transformation, sustainable development, global governance, and strengthening high-level political and economic relations."
The statement quoted EU President António Costa as saying, "Brazil is not just a close friend, but a strategic partner of the European Union, a global player, and a key ally in promoting democracy and multilateralism and building a more just and sustainable world." In light of the global challenges facing these values, it is even more important for countries like Brazil and the European Union to join forces to support them.
This visit is an opportunity to deepen our cooperation and continue working toward an ambitious global agenda that benefits our citizens and our planet. Together, we invest in trust, sustainability, and an international order based on cooperation, not confrontation.
The statement explained that during his meeting with President Lula in Brasilia on May 27, President Costa will focus on strengthening political, economic, and sectoral cooperation, particularly in light of Brazil's upcoming COP30 presidency. The two presidents will exchange views on their bilateral and global priorities, including climate change, trade, green and digital transformations, and essential raw materials. They will also discuss the global geopolitical context and how to maximize the benefits of the EU-Mercosur agreement, whose negotiations concluded last December.
The following day, May 29, the President will travel to São Paulo to address the inaugural EU-Brazil Investment Forum and formally launch the EU-Brazil Investment Dialogue. This new framework will support high-quality and sustainable investments and further strengthen economic relations. At a time when bilateral relations face increasing tensions and multilateralism is under pressure, the visit will highlight the EU's commitment to an ambitious and forward-looking strategic partnership with Brazil, underpinned by strong political ties, robust economic cooperation, and a shared commitment to addressing global challenges together.
Brazil has been a strategic partner of the EU since 2007. The EU is Brazil's second-largest trading partner and its largest foreign investor, with over €300 billion in direct investment. Since President Lula took office in 2023, EU-Brazil relations have gained new momentum, with renewed political and sectoral dialogues on climate, energy, digital transformation, security, and public health. The conclusion of the EU-Mercosur agreement negotiations in December 2024 further strengthened this relationship.
The EU and Brazil also cooperate closely at the United Nations and the G20, within the framework of the EU-CELAC Summit, and through new initiatives such as the Global Alliance to Fight Hunger and Poverty and the G20 Regional Vaccine Alliance.