After the annual meeting of Mercosur heads of state, held this Tuesday (07/04), which granted the Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the presidency of the bloc, the presidents of the countries forming the organization issued a joint statement , released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil.
At 43 points throughout the document, Alberto Fernández (Argentina), Lula (Brazil), Mario Abdo Benítez (Paraguay), Luis Lacalle Pou (Uruguay), and Luis Arce (Bolivia), declared commitments to Mercosur and discussed joint achievements in region.
Firstly, the declaration reaffirms the commitment “to the defense and strengthening of democratic institutions” and the “promotion of Human Rights” in the regional integration process.
The heads of state “reaffirmed their commitment to democracy and the promotion and protection of human rights as indissoluble axes, underlining the need to deepen citizen participation in the region in order to strengthen our societies and peoples. They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening of public policies that foster a democratic culture based on respect and equality, in favor of peace and against any type of hate speech, with the purpose of combating all forms of discrimination, intolerance and inequality”, informs the statement.
The presidents also reaffirmed their commitment to indigenous peoples and the afro-descendant population: “For the sake of the preservation, revitalization and promotion of indigenous languages” and in the fight against “racial discrimination, strengthening the mechanisms that guarantee the full access and permanence of the afro-descendant population to education in at all levels, to justice and integral health, as part of an agenda of reparations for her”.
Together, the leaders “expressed concern about the future requirement of electronic travel authorizations for citizens of visa-free countries, as a prerequisite for being able to enter the European Union”, a measure that should be implemented from 2024.
Still referring to Europe, specifically the dispute between England and Argentina over the Malvinas Islands, the group reiterated support for Buenos Aires, supporting “its legitimate rights in the sovereignty dispute”, highlighting that the exploration of the area is not compatible with the United Nations .
In agreement with Lula’s speeches, the document recognizes as “necessary” the reform of the UN Security Council as a commitment to the strengthening of multilateralism.
Thus, reform is necessary “with a view to transforming it into a more representative, legitimate, efficient, democratic and transparent body”, complete the presidents.
The document also addresses points such as combating violence against women, justice, regional culture, equality, migration, transport, environment (congratulating Brazil for hosting the COP30), scientific and technical cooperation, food security, and renewable energies.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
