RELATIONS WITH THE EU
The European Union and Brazil
Political Relations
The European Union (EU) and Brazil have a longstanding partnership based upon a common heritage and shared fundamental values and principles such as democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms, social inclusion and sustainable development. The EU and Brazil established diplomatic relations in 1960. The current relations are based on a number of agreements such as the Framework Cooperation Agreement signed in 1992, a Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement signed in 2004 and the EU-Mercosur Framework Cooperation Agreement signed in 1995. The bilateral political relations have continued to widen and culminated in 2007 with the establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the EU and Brazil. Since 2007, the EU and Brazil hold summits at the highest political level (last one in February 2014). Within our Strategic Partnership, we have around thirty sectoral dialogues in progress in areas such as political relations, human rights, trade, energy, cyber, research & innovation, information society and climate change.
Peace, Security and Defence policy
The EU Common Security and Defence Policy is of utmost importance for the EU and enormous progress has been achieved since its inception. Brazil is a strategic partner of the EU in this field. Defence cooperation, particularly for peacekeeping and against security threats, features in EU-Brazil high-level political dialogues.
The EU welcomed the election of Brazil for a non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2022-2023 term. It will be the country’s 11th time serving at this important body responsible for international collective security. Brazil has traditionally played a crucial role in peacebuilding.
Team Europe’s support to fight against COVID 19 in Brazil
The EU has made significant efforts as “Team Europe” to support partner countries in the fight against COVID19, combining resources from the EU, its Member States and European financial institutions. The European Union Delegation in Brazil and the Embassies of the Member States of the European Union have joined efforts with Brazilian institutions to accommodate the rising demands of the Covid-19 pandemic. The support actions have two strands: Firstly, emergency aid provided mainly through existing projects financed by the European Union and its Member States. Projects include, for example, information campaigns on the pandemic, basic food baskets and hygiene materials. 70 actions were supported for the amount of 22.6 million euros in grants. Secondly, the European Union financial institutions have mobilized and €635 million in loans, for example, to support the government's emergency aid programs or to support the economic recovery of micro and small businesses in north-eastern Brazil.
You can read more at O Apoio da Equipe Europa ao Brasil na luta contra a Covid-19 (Portuguese)