Brazil is already a global player, concludes seminar
Valor Econômico
The position of the European Union (EU) in relation to Brazil is evolving quickly amid the global crisis, according to the conclusion of a seminar that celebrated the ten years of the Mercosur chair of "Sciences Po" (Paris Institute of Political Studies). It was confirmed that Brussels considers that the country has indeed become a global player, despite internal problems, and a privileged interlocutor to debate the main subjects of the international agenda, such as the wearther, energy and financial regulation. It means the EU, in what refers to the economic future of the planet, is discussing with Brazil and not with the Mercosur (that includes Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay) more and more.
The seminar, which had how the new role of Brazil affects the relations with Europe as one of its themes, was opened by the World Trade Organization General Director, Pascal Lamy, and by the minister of the Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, and was attended by high officials from Europe and South America.
Another verification was that everybody is much more concerned about financial issues, the environment and what the economic model after the crisis will be than with commercial negotiations. There is consensus that there cannot be protectionism, but what concerns the most is the type of future financial regulation, for instance.