EU-Brazil summit to discuss Iran, Syria

The 7th EU-Brazil summit in Brussels tomorrow, Monday, will take stock of relations between the two sides and also discuss international issues, mainly focusing on Iran, Syria and the Middle East Peace Process. They will exchange views on regional issues in Latin America, and on security in Africa, according to EU sources. The one-day summit is also expected to address global challenges, such as international cyber policy and internet governance as well as climate change, energy policies and sustainable development. The EU-Brazil strategic partnership was established in 2007, in recognition of both sides' political and economic importance. The EU remains Brazil's main trading partner and is the destination number one of Brazil's exports. Trade data for 2013 indicate a growth of EU exports to Brazil, from 39.7 billion euro (USD 54.5 bn) in 2012 to 40.1 billion (USD 55 bn) in 2013. Brazilian exports to the EU dropped from 37.4 bn euro (USD 51.3 bn) in 2012 to 33 bn euro (USD 45.3 bn) in 2013. Around 90 percent of EU exports to Brazil in 2013 were manufactured goods automotive, aircraft, chemicals, and other machinery), while primary products such as food and drink and raw materials (soy beans, oilcake, iron ore, coffee and crude oil) accounted for more than 70 percent of imports from Brazil. The EU will be represented at the summit by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and by Jos{ Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. Brazil will be represented by President Dilma Rousseff, and she will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Luiz Alberto Figueiredo