German minister says Latin America is Europe’s natural partner

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Latin America is Europe’s natural partner.

The speech came before her trip to Brazil, Colombia, and Panama.

“Not even an ocean can separate us because Latin America and Europe are natural partners. A lot unites us.”

“We live in democracies, we are close culturally, and we strive for an international system based on rules and human rights,” Baerbock said.

“This is as true for Colombia and Panama as it is for Brazil, our strategic partner that will hold the next G20 presidency,” the minister added.

She highlighted that “without Latin America, it will not be possible to alleviate the climate crisis” and cited the problem of deforestation in the Amazon that occurs through burning and logging.

“This affects all of us; if the trees continue to fall, the whole ecosystem will collapse.”

“That is why we share President Lula’s ambition to offer perspectives to those who live near the jungle, not against the jungle, but with it,” she said.

The minister also highlighted Brazil’s renewable energy sources and stated that the ships crossing the Panama Canal are a reminder that Latin America is potentially a giant in the world economy.

“Secure supply chains, green energy, less dependence on raw materials. With the Russian war of aggression, we are rapidly reorganizing the threads of our global relations,” she said.

With information from EFE

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