Spain and Brazil confirm their commitment to push through the agreement between MERCOSUR and the European Union

Brasilia (Brazil)

The President of the Government began his trip to Brazil, which will last for two days, with a working meeting with the President of the Republic, Michel Temer, following which the two leaders signed five cooperation agreements between the two countries.

During a joint press conference, the two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the resumption of negotiations between the European Union and MERCOSUR and at the progress made in the round of negotiations held in Buenos Aires last month, explained Mariano Rajoy. "We are convinced of the need to move forward in relations between MERCOSUR and the EU. Spain has always been and will always be a strong backer of the trade agreement between the European Union and MERCOSUR", he stated.

In this regard, President of the Government Rajoy added that, "At this time in which certain parties are showing protectionist leanings, we both agree on the importance of opening up at an international level, and not just in strictly economic terms".

Economic relations

Pool Moncloa/ Diego CrespoMariano Rajoy congratulated President Temer on the reforms being undertaken in his country and conveyed to him his conviction that in the medium term the seriousness of his public management policies will be rewarded. "The creation of the right framework to ensure that private initiatives can flourish in terms of foreseeability and legal certainty, together with the sustainability of the public accounts, are key to ensuring that our societies can prosper".

According to the President of the Government, "the presence of Spanish businesses in Brazil is very powerful". "We are the second largest investor in Brazil and Brazil is the third largest recipient of Spanish investment in other countries, behind only the United Kingdom and the United States", he pointed out.

He added that Spanish companies have shown that "their commitment to Brazil is ongoing, and they have maintained and even increased their presence during tough years for both economies".

Mariano Rajoy also highlighted that the Brazilian Government has some very ambitious plans, and hence is "absolutely convinced that there is a broad margin for increasing the presence of Spanish companies in Brazil, as well as for stepping up our bilateral trade".

Negotiated solution in Venezuela

Mariano Rajoy explained that, as well as economic relations, they also addressed other areas of scientific, cultural and educational cooperation,

Pool Moncloa/ Diego CrespoAccording to the President of the Government, they also spoke about issues on the regional Ibero-American agenda, with particular attention on the situation in Venezuela. "The situation in our sister nation deeply concerns us. We agree that, given how volatile and inflammable the situation is, it is imperative to find a negotiated solution in the country, one which must necessarily derive from the will of the people of Venezuela, as custodians of their own national sovereignty".

Bilateral relations

The President of the Government underlined that this is the first bilateral visit he has made to Brazil and this is the first Ibero-American country he has visited in the present term of office, which reflects the importance he gives to relations between Spain and Brazil. "We are countries that share the same values and have a long common history. The potential of our bilateral relations is tremendous and I hope that this trip can help us fully realise this potential", he remarked.

Michel Temer accepted Mariano Rajoy's invitation to visit Spain when their mutual agendas so allow.

Historic and cultural ties

During the lunch held following the joint appearance by Mariano Rajoy and Michel Temer, the President of the Government of Spain stressed the historic, cultural and "very solid" affective ties that unite the two nations.

Pool Moncloa/ Diego CrespoThe President of the Government recalled the thousands of Spaniards who, since the end of the 19th Century have sought out new opportunities in Brazil and have contributed to its development. More than 10 million Brazilians have Spanish ancestry, pointed out Mariano Rajoy, who will meet up on Tuesday in Sao Paulo with representatives of the Spanish colony.

The President of the Government also highlighted that thousands of Brazilians currently live in Spain.

According to Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish language plays a "central role" in relations between Spain and Brazil, since Brazil is surrounded by countries that speak this language. The Government of Spain, he declared, has been making a great effort for many years to spread the Spanish language in Brazil, as can be seen by the eight Cervantes Institute centres that operate there, the largest network in existence in a single country, even ahead of the United States.

In his speech, Mariano Rajoy once again advocated a greater presence of Spanish companies in Brazil, particularly SMEs, and also encouraged Brazilian companies to set up in Spain. Fostering the collaboration and investment of companies from both countries is precisely the aim of the business meeting that the President of the Government of Spain will hold in Sao Paulo on Tuesday.

Mariano Rajoy also advocated increasing cooperation at a technological level and between the security services and armed forces of Spain and Brazil.