Reuters. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva praised their close German-Brazilian partnership after holding the first government consultations in eight years on Monday (December 4).
Speaking at an industry and commerce chamber (DIHK) event in the evening, Lula underlined the importance of a German-Brazilian declaration of intent on a partnership for socially responsible and ecological transformation, Scholz and Lula had signed before.
Scholz mentioned the EU-Mercosur free trade deal during his key note, saying he hoped for a swift agreement soon.
The EU and the Mercosur bloc of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay looks increasingly unlikely to close free trade negotiations this week, as envisaged, with Argentina's incoming government needing to approve outstanding issues.
Lula has jetted across the globe since returning to office in January, trying to restore Brazil's standing on the global stage after years of diplomatic isolation under his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, to mixed results.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was the first foreign leader to visit Lula in Brazil, only weeks after his inauguration.
