Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck wants to achieve a new start in German-Brazilian relations. “After the election, Brazil made a clear commitment to putting sustainability, but also democracy, the rule of law and human rights at the top of the political agenda,” said the Green politician at a press conference with Vice President Geraldo Alckmin at the German-Brazilian Business Days.
“For Germany and Europe, this is an obligation and an invitation to further intensify political and economic relations with Brazil at this level.”
“Green Bridge”
At the opening of the German-Brazilian Business Days, Habeck spoke of a “green bridge” across the Atlantic. Brazil is already strong in renewable energies and has great potential for hydrogen production.
Habeck said there was a chance of finalizing the EU’s planned free trade agreement with South America’s Mercosur confederation, which has been under negotiation for a long time. However, growth and prosperity as well as the protection of natural resources must go together, he said with regard to the protection of the rainforest.
“The agreement is already ripe,” said Alckmin. According to him, the discussion should not be conducted again, but one must analyze individual questions. The Brazilian government has an obligation to sustainability and climate protection. “We do not want to allow illegal logging, land grabbing and gold prospecting in the Amazon.”
The President of the Federation of German Industries, Siegfried Russwurm, said Brazil will play an increasingly important role. Germany needs Brazil as an economic, ecological and geopolitical partner. The planned free trade agreement must be passed quickly.
A double taxation agreement, questions of joint training and the exchange of workers or the digitization of industry were also on Habeck’s agenda.
