THE EUROPEAN UNION AND BRAZIL

More than 5 decades of strict cooperation

THE EUROPEAN UNION: HISTORY
1951: The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) is set up by the six founding members

1957: The same six countries sign the Treaties of Rome, setting up the European Economic
Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom)

1973: The Communities expand to nine Member States and introduce more common policies

1979: The first direct elections to the European Parliament (EP)

1981: The first Mediterranean enlargement

1992: The European single market becomes a reality

1993: The Treaty of Maastricht establishes the European Union (EU)

2002: The euro comes into circulation

2007: The EU has 27 Member States

2009: The Lisbon Treaty comes into force, changing the way the EU works

2013: The EU has 28 Member States

THE EUROPEAN UNION: BASIC
STRUCTURE
The EUs Heads of State and/or Government meet, as the
European Council, to set the EUs overall political direction and
to take major decisions on key issues.
The Council, made up of ministers from the EU Member States,
meets frequently to take policy decisions and make EU laws.
The European Parliament, which represents the people, shares
legislative and budgetary power with the Council.
The European Commission, which represents the common
interest of the EU, is the main executive body. It puts forward
proposals for legislation and ensures that EU policies are
properly implemented.
THE EUROPEAN UNION: THE SINGLE
MARKET AND THE EURO
Restrictions on trade and free competition between member countries
have gradually been eliminated, thus helping standards of living to rise.
Over the years the EU has introduced a number of policies (on transport,
competition, etc.) to help ensure that as many businesses and consumers
as possible benefit from opening up the single market.
The euro is the single currency shared by 18 of the 28 Member States of the
European Union. It came into use for non-cash transactions in 1999 and for
all payments in 2002, when euro notes and coins were issued.
Prices are stable thanks to the European Central Bank, whose job it is to
maintain this stability. Moreover, the euro has become a major reserve
currency, alongside the US dollar.
The EU has set up solidarity instruments that have helped the most
indebted governments through the 2008 crisis.
THE EUROPEAN UNION IN THE
INTERNATIONAL STAGE
The European Union has more influence on the world stage
when it speaks with a single voice in international affairs such
as trade negotiations. The European Council acquired a
permanent President and the first High Representative of the
Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy was appointed.
EU Member States are developing military cooperation for
peacekeeping missions.
The EU is working within the World Trade Organization (WTO) to
ensure open markets and a rules-based trading system.
The EU pays particular attention to Africa, due to its
geographical and historical connections.
 Donald Tusk Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen Antonio Tajani Jean-Claude Juncker Federica Mogherini
European Council Council of the EU European Parliament European Commission European External Action Service

THE EUROPEAN UNION-BRAZIL

PARTNERSHIP
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
Brazil established formal diplomatic relations with the European
Community in 1960.
The EU and Brazil have been strategic partners since 2007,
strengthening co-operation and developing a deeper dialogue.
The EUs relative importance in Brazils imports diminished slightly over
the last few years, mainly due to the strong growth of Chinese
exports to Brazil.
20 Sectoral Dialogues and Exchanges have been established.
The main research areas in which Brazilian research teams
participate are Transports, Food/Agriculture/Biotechnology, ICT,
Energy and environment.
 120

99 99
100 97

89

80
71
64
60

Billion dollars
53
51
49 48 48
46 47
42

TRADE
40 37
34 33
31

RELATIONS 20

7
Exports from the European Union to Brazil 1 2
Imports from Brazil to the European Union
0
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
-3 -3
-5
Trade = Exports + Imports
Balance = Exports - Imports -20
Exports Imports Trade Balance


Thank you Bedankt

Go raibh maith agat

Tak Dzikuj
Paldies

Ai
Obrigado
Tack
Gracias
akujem

Ksznm
Danke

Dkuji
Mulumesc
Grazie

Aith
Merci

Kiitos
Grazii Hvala

SOURCES
Delegation of the European Union to Brazil
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
European Union