His first visit to the region begins this Saturday to deepen political and economic ties. It will also go to Chile and Brazil.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz begins his first trip to Argentina, Chile and Brazil this Saturday deepening political and economic ties, Energy diversification, renewable energy, the fight against climate change and the defense of multilateralism as central points on its agenda.
According to the German government spokesman, Streiffen Hebestreit, the trip “Underlines relevance as sector partner”An aspect that was also highlighted by Valeska Hesse, head of the Latin America and Caribbean department of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), affiliated with Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD).
a forgotten field
The chancellor is now visiting these three countries, a “very important and positive sign” for Hesse to underline that the region, that haven’t really gotten enough attention For many years, it “is now of even greater importance and priority for Germany and the European Union”.
The points Scholz will address have been important over the years, but now they are relevant “in context” once again. ‘turn’” – a shift to a new era precipitated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine – and the search for “new partners” and “strategic alliances”.
“People have realized that we have to look more towards other countries and regions where our trusted partners are“, he insisted.
they are also countries progressive governments And the fact that they are “like-minded governments”, according to Hesse, may also play an important role for the Social Democratic chancellor to propose common projects.
He recalled that in general in most Latin American countries they are democracyWith all the challenges that naturally exist in these countries.
And Latin America is also an “ally” when it comes to defending democracy against the rise of authoritarian regimes.
raw materials and energy
But apart from issues of “common values” such as democracy and multilateralism, on economic issues such as energy, diversification energy suppliers, green hydrogen and raw materialsHe said that region plays an important role.
There, cooperation should be designed so that Latin America also advantageEspecially on issues of sustainability, he stressed.
For Orlando Baquero, general director of the Association for Latin America (LAV)—the business network for economic sectors with interests in that region—Latin America, “after many years in a bit of oblivion” is once again interesting to Europe.
He stressed that it is important for the association that talks take place again “at the highest level”. especially with Brazil, Main countries for German business in South America, with “huge potential”.
Brazil is a “strategic partner” in electricity generation, he stressed, and recalled that 85% of investments in renewables carried out by German companies are precisely in that country.
Argentina
The trip to Argentina is equally important, according to Baquero It is the second most important country in the regiondespite difficulties in several economic sectors, and where everything indicates that it is going to subscribe A cooperation agreement for start-ups and innovation, Told.
He said Chile is a strategic partner in green hydrogen and renewable energy, but also in raw materials such as copper, essential in the energy transition, and lithium, vital for batteries.
EU-MERCOSUR Agreement
Another economic objective of this tour is to be able to finally close free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, For which, Hesse stresses, it is important to show that these are business relationships. will be “balanced” And can set aside the skepticism and skepticism of countries like Brazil or Argentina.
especially in brazil climate change issue And the security of the Amazon will be another key issue, with Germany likely to unlock Amazon funds after Lula’s election victory.
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Associated Press
