The Planalto Palace, seat of the presidency, announced that during the 30-minute conversation, Lula insisted on the need to speed up the completion of the agreement.

A new round of negotiations between representatives of both blocs will take place next week.

During the conversation, both politicians agreed that Brazil’s simultaneous presidency in MERCOSUR and Spain’s presidency of the EU Council would be an opportunity to finalize the pact.

Lula recalled that the negotiations have been going on for 22 years and criticized again the additional demands made by the EU in the environmental field.

He also pointed out that Brazil should present a joint proposal at the Climate Summit (COP28) in Dubai, along with the other countries with large tropical forest reserves.

Sánchez, no the other hand, agreed to Speedy up the finalization of the agreement, which should be based on a relationship of mutual trust.

He underlined the willingness shown by the European Commission and achieved to hold further high-level talks to conclude the pact soon.

Finally, Lula invited Sánchez to visit Brazil, and the president of Government of Spain replied that he was interested in doing so as soon as possible.

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