The King defends before Lula that peace in Ukraine must respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity

Felipe VI praises Brazil's efforts to protect the Amazon and defends that it is "a reliable partner" for companies

King Felipe VI has praised Brazil's defense of peace and, before its president, Luiz Inazio Lula da Silva, has defended that in the specific case of Ukraine it must respect "national sovereignty and territorial integrity" so that this can be durable.

This is how Don Felipe pronounced himself in the toast during the lunch offered to Lula with which the Brazilian president ended his official visit to Spain. Both Spain and Brazil, the monarch highlighted, are countries that defend multilateralism and International Law.

For this reason, now that Europe and the world are shaken by the war in Ukraine, "we value even more the traditional defense that Brazil has always made of peace", the King asserted, without specifically mentioning the Brazilian president's proposal to create a group of countries that can facilitate negotiations between Kiev and Moscow.

In this sense, and in line with the position that the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has been defending, Don Felipe has defended that for peace "to be lasting, it must be based on respect for International Law and its most valuable principles, those of national sovereignty and territorial integrity".

For this reason, the King added, "Spain has firmly and consistently rejected Russia's unjustifiable aggression in all international forums."

The president has maintained, in turn, that Brazil "condemns the invasion of Ukraine by Russia" and defends both the United Nations Charter and International Law. But, he added, "we want to open paths for dialogue that do not obstruct the exits offered by diplomacy."

"Without a ceasefire, it is not possible to move forward," he stressed, while acknowledging that this war "in the heart of Europe is a tragedy for humanity." "The world needs peace," said the Brazilian president, who also defended that both countries are "two great democracies."

On the other hand, Don Felipe has expressed his appreciation for Lula's "frankness and strength" and for his "vocation and determination to contribute to the greatness of Brazil." Thus, he has opted for the two countries to be able to face together "common challenges" such as climate change, equality or social development.

In this sense, he had words of praise for "Brazil's great efforts in the Amazon basin to guarantee the protection of indigenous populations and combat deforestation." "We want you to know that you are not alone in this urgent task that concerns all countries," she told him.

THE KING SEES A RELIABLE PARTNER IN BRAZIL

Likewise, the King stressed that "Brazil, in addition to being a friendly country, is a reliable partner" which has allowed Spanish companies to integrate "into its socio-economic system with a long-term vision, generating employment", and ultimately " prosperity and progress for our two countries.

In economic terms, the monarch has also reiterated Spain's support for the achievement of the agreement between the EU and Mercosur, "which may mean the opening of new, very promising horizons for trade between our two countries and their respective economic actors". .

Likewise, Don Felipe has acknowledged that he was deeply impacted by "the violent acts" of January 8 when thousands of Brazilians assaulted the main State institutions and "tried to undermine democracy and the rule of law" in their country.

"We were comforted by the firm and unequivocal response of the whole of Brazilian society and institutions, condemning these acts, and showing clear support for their Government" which demonstrated, in the opinion of the head of state, "the health of democracy in Brazil".

LULA ARRIVES ONE HOUR LATE AT THE PALACE

Lula has arrived at the Royal Palace almost an hour late on schedule because his meeting with the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has lasted longer than expected. Once in the Palace, the president held a meeting with Felipe VI that lasted for about 40 minutes, which briefly delayed the start of the official lunch.

In addition to Sánchez, the three vice presidents and the heads of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Health and Inclusion, as well as the heads of Congress, the Senate, the Constitutional Court and the General Council of the Judiciary, have been present at it.

Likewise, the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez Almeida, as well as the spokesmen for the PSOE and PP in Congress, among others, also attended. As is traditional, there has also been a large business presence, starting with the presidents of the CEOE, Antonio Garamendi, and of the Chamber of Commerce, José Luis Bonet, as well as the general secretaries of the UGT and CCOO.

The menu for the occasion has been prepared by chef Paco Roncero and has been made up of prawn carpaccio, hake and creamy white chocolate.