Lula Strengthens Brazil-Uruguay Ties to Foster South American Integration

President Lula attended the inauguration of Uruguay’s new leaders, signaling Brazil’s commitment to a historic partnership and South American integration. He emphasized the need for regional unity and cooperation through Mercosur. Lula engaged in meaningful dialogues with various leaders regarding democracy, climate change, and global conflicts, reinforcing bilateral relations and regional solidarity.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva attended the inauguration ceremony of Uruguay’s new leadership, where Yamandú Orsi took the constitutional oath as President, and Carolina Cosse was sworn in as Vice President. This significant event occurred on March 1 in the plenary of Uruguay’s General Assembly, underscoring Brazil’s dedication to fostering its historic partnership with Uruguay and promoting South American integration.

In his address, President Lula highlighted the strong ties between the two nations, referring to them as ‘brotherly nations.’ He expressed optimism regarding Uruguay’s election under the Broad Front coalition, believing it would revive key discussions on issues such as strengthening Mercosur and enhancing the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). Lula accentuated the importance of forming a unified South American bloc, stating, “Our role is to try to convince people that a strong bloc must be formed in South America — that we cannot try to find an individual solution for each country, because this is not possible: the world is divided into blocs.”

During his visit, Lula engaged in dialogues with President Orsi, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, and Colombian President Gustavo Petro regarding democracy, extremism, and social media challenges. Previously, Orsi had sought Lula’s support for regional integration and cooperation with European nations. The longstanding relationship between Brazil and Uruguay emphasizes mutual cooperation in various initiatives, particularly in developing border areas and enhancing Mercosur.

Lula’s delegation included key ministers focused on foreign affairs, agrarian development, science and technology, energy, and institutional relations. Prior to the inauguration, Lula met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to discuss multilateralism and strengthen ties between Brazil and Germany. They focused on the Mercosur-European Union agreement and collaborative efforts to combat climate change.

Lula addressed global priorities, emphasizing the necessity for wealthier nations to finance environmental conservation in forested countries to address climate change effectively. He also shared his views on international conflicts, advocating for peace talks involving major global powers, stating that substantial funding has been diverted to warfare instead of strengthening nations with vital environmental roles.

In a separate meeting, Lula connected with Ecuadorian presidential candidate Luisa González to discuss the political landscape in South America, stressing the importance of democracy and social justice. He expressed hope for peaceful elections in Ecuador. Lula concluded the day with a meeting with former Uruguayan President Pepe Mujica, whom he regards highly, reflecting on their mutual respect.

In summary, President Lula’s visit to Uruguay reinforced Brazil’s commitment to its longstanding partnership with Uruguay and South American unity. His discussions centered around enhancing cooperation through Mercosur, addressing climate change, and advocating for democracy. Lula’s diplomatic engagements highlight the essential roles Brazil and Uruguay play in fostering regional stability and integration, as well as the necessity of addressing global challenges collectively.

Original Source: www.gov.br