EU-buitenlandvertegenwoordiger Ashton: Brazilië en EU strategische partners (en)

On 26 January, HR/VP i Catherine Ashton met new Brazil Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota. She said after the meeting:

“I am delighted to have welcomed Minister Patriota on his first visit as Foreign Minister outside Latin America.

Brazil and the EU are Strategic Partners with strong and dynamic bilateral relations. We have had a first exchange of views on the priorities on foreign policy of the new Brazilian Government and about our vision to further develop our relationship. I share his wish to continue strengthen our ties and to work towards greater cooperation in our bilateral relations and on global issues including on human rights. I look forward to visiting Brazil in the spring and to the next EU-Brazil Summit which will be held in Brussels on 4 October.

On regional issues, we agreed on the importance of a successful conclusion of the EU-Mercosur negotiations in 2011.

Finally, I expressed my condolences for the victims of the recent floods in Brazil."