The Spanish Prime Minister, José LuÀs Rodriguez Zapatero, affirmed today that Spain is “the safe haven, the effective warrantor” of the Americas in the European Union. Zapatero, who is making his first official visit to Brazil, met with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The Spanish premier emphasized that his country will also back projects for the integration of the Americas, especially the Mercosur, and he declared himself in favor of reforming the United Nations Security Council as a way to bestow legitimacy on the organization’s decisions.
He underscored the importance of the Brazilian government’s efforts in international relations, most of all in Africa and Asia.
Likewise, he affirmed that the Brazilian people should be proud of the way that President Lula has acted to combat hunger and poverty, marking, in his opinion, a “phase of conscience and commitment.”
In Zapatero’s opinion, Brazil “has already gained the future.” He underlined the country’s social programs, such as Light for All, which proposes to make electricity available to 12 million people by 2008.
As far as business is concerned, Zapatero informed that the Spanish companies that invest in Brazil are “contented.”
Spain is currently the world’s second largest investor in Brazil, trailing only the United States. Spanish investments amount to US$ 26 billion.
The Spanish leader also called on Brazilian companies to invest in his country.
Translation: David Silberstein
Reporter – Agência Brasil