Mercosur-EU agreement is aligned with environmental objectives, says minister

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva, celebrated the approval of the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union (EU) by the EU Commission and positively assessed the terms signed between the countries that will make up the largest free trade zone in the world.

“The negotiations resulted in a balanced text aligned with contemporary environmental, social and economic challenges”, highlights an official note released by the ministry.

In the minister’s assessment, the text of the agreement is aligned with the Brazilian environmental agenda, capable of promoting development while protecting nature and confronting climate change.

“In three years, we managed to reduce deforestation in the Amazon by 50% and by 32.3% in the Cerrado and, at the same time, open more than 500 new markets for the country’s agribusiness”, he reinforces.

For Marina Silva, the conduct of this agenda by the Brazilian government and the environmental commitments assumed by the Mercosur countries were definitive for the European bloc’s council to conclude the negotiations in a favorable manner. “After 25 years, the approval of this agreement is anchored in the confidence that President Lula’s government conducts a serious, consistent and committed environmental agenda with results,” he says.

Highlights

Among the strengths of the trade agreement highlighted in the MMA note are the reaffirmation of commitments to environmental and climate sustainability of the countries involved. Such as the adoption of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and the reinforcement of sovereignty in defining the environmental standards of each country.

The document also advances by considering financial instruments for the climate and biodiversity agendas, such as the possibility of valuing the services provided by nature and environmental financing.

The promotion of bioeconomy products and sustainable goods also entered the trade agreement between the blocs, which also provides for the provision of information on deforestation and compliance with environmental legislation by exporting countries.

The safeguards established by the text, according to the MMA statement, prevent negative environmental impacts and ensure that the expansion of trade contributes to the promotion of sustainability.