Spain and Brazil strengthen their strategic relationship and reaffirm their alliance in defending democracy

Brasilia (Brazil)

The President of the Government of Spain has travelled to Brazil to consolidate the "already excellent" political relationship between the two countries, boost trade and investment and continue to give impetus to the agreement between the EU and Mercosur.

Brazil, a strategic partner

Spain and Brazil share "cultural ties, political affinities and solid economic interests" due to their common membership of the Latin American community, the president said. These links, politically framed in the 2003 Strategic Partnership Plan, have been reinforced at this meeting through the institutionalisation of a permanent consultation mechanism, which raises the level of the bilateral relationship and reflects its strategic nature.

As a result of this "excellent relationship", a Political Declaration has been signed which reviews the good progress of bilateral relations, addressing common interests and challenges, while committing to continue cooperating in areas such as defending democracy, the fight against disinformation and hate speech, and defending international law through multilateralism and peaceful conflict resolution.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, during the welcome honors for the head of the Spanish Executive at the Planalto Palace | Pool Moncloa / Fernando Calvo

In addition, a new roadmap has been established, structured in nine sections, covering, among others, the political sphere; trade, investment, infrastructure, commerce and finance; science, technology and innovation; environment; defence; education and culture; the fight against crime; defence; migration and consular affairs; and cooperation for sustainable development.

The President of the Government of Spain also highlighted the "prominent place that scientific collaboration will occupy" in the renewed relationship between the two countries. In this regard, four Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed that will strengthen bilateral cooperation in science, technology and innovation, health research and satellite connectivity. A fifth MoU will also be signed during tomorrow's visit to Sao Paulo.

Boosting trade and investment relations

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during the meeting he held with the Spanish business delegation | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

At the beginning of the day, the president of the Government of Spain held a working breakfast with the delegation of Spanish businessmen who are accompanying him on the trip to Brazil, together with the Minister for Economy, Trade and Enterprise, Carlos Cuerpo. It has served to "learn more about the opportunities and needs" of Spanish companies with a view to the Business Forum that will take place in Sao Paulo, the president indicated. There, they will be joined by representatives of other large Spanish companies that have travelled on their own or are already established in the country.

For years, Spain has been Brazil's second largest international investor, which in turn is our second largest commercial client in Latin America. These figures, said the president, reflect the importance, but also the confidence, of Spanish companies in Brazil as a first-rate partner. "We share solid economic interests," said Sánchez, especially in matters related to the ecological transition and the green economy, sectors in which Spanish companies are world leaders.

Spain and Brazil, allies in strengthening relations between the EU and Latin America

Meeting of the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, with Spanish and Brazilian businessmen | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

The President of the Government of Spain thanked President Lula for Brazil's leadership in advancing the agreement between the EU and Mercorsur. "Latin America and the European Union are natural allies, and Brazil and Spain are called upon to promote this alliance," said Sánchez.

In this regard, the president reaffirmed Spain's commitment to concluding the EU-Mercosur Agreement and highlighted the achievements made during the Spanish presidency of the Council of the EU, such as the EU-CELAC Summit, which had not been held for eight years.

Spain's determined drive and Brazil's leadership on the Latin American side express the "determination to continue building on the commitments reached at the successful EU-CELAC Summit", the president said, and which will also have repercussions in terms of social, labour and environmental benefits, while strengthening trade links between the two regions.

Convergence on global issues

The President of the Government of Spain conveyed Spain's shared position with the main axes of the Brazilian presidency of the G20 to Lula: social inclusion, reduction of inequalities and the fight against poverty; energy transition and sustainable development; and revitalisation of multilateralism. Priorities, said the president, that "we will defend" on a global level with the "same spirit" with which Spain will host the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in 2025 and with which, in turn, Spain will support the COP30, to be held in the Brazilian city of Bélem.

Both leaders shared the respect for and the objectives of the United Nations Charter, as well as the peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, where, the president indicated, they both want a definitive solution.

Support for Brazil's democratic institutions

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during his visit to the Brazilian Senate | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

During this first day, the President of the Government of Spain visited the National Congress. There, he held meetings with the President of the Federal Senate and the National Congress, Rodrigo Pacheco, and with the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira.

In these meetings, he conveyed Spain's firm commitment to democratic values and support for Brazilian institutions to both of them. The violent attacks after the inauguration of President Lula "remind us of the need to stand firm in defending these democratic principles," the president said.

Visit the Indigenous Peoples Memorial

At the end of the day, the President of the Government visited the Indigenous Peoples Memorial, an architectural project that was created to showcase the diversity and richness of Brazil's indigenous cultures.

He was received by the President of the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (FUNAI), Joenia Wapichana, a prominent indigenous jurist and politician. Sánchez highlighted Wapichana's female leadership at the head of FUNAI and acknowledged the great work the foundation does to protect and promote the rights of Brazil's indigenous peoples. In this regard, the president conveyed Spain's commitment to racial equality.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, visits the Indigenous Peoples Memorial | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

Here, Pedro Sánchez highlighted the value of the 'Indigenous Programme' of the Spanish Cooperation, which started two interventions in 2024, through the AECID for a total of 350,000 euros.

Non official translation