Day: September 8, 2025

BRICS Summit: Lula da Silva Condemns US Military Presence in the Caribbean

During the BRICS summit, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the United States military deployment in the Caribbean, emphasizing the region’s status as a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, reaffirmed by the Treaty of Tlatelolco, reports 24brussels.

Lula’s remarks were welcomed by Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry, representing President Nicolás Maduro. The Ministry highlighted the importance of respecting Latin America’s status as a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, a commitment established in 1967.

In a message on Telegram, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil expressed support for Lula’s call for respect of this principle and urged for revitalization of multilateralism at the upcoming 80th United Nations General Assembly.

The Brazilian president criticized the US military presence in the Caribbean Sea, referring to it as “a factor of tension incompatible with the peaceful vocation of this region.”

Lula specifically noted the presence of eight missile-equipped warships and a nuclear-powered submarine, deployed under the previous Trump administration’s pretext of combatting drug trafficking. He argued that this deployment contradicts the spirit of the Treaty of Tlatelolco, which aimed to create a densely populated zone free of nuclear weapons.

The Venezuelan support for Lula’s declarations further emphasizes the importance of maintaining the region as a peace zone, adhering to nuclear non-proliferation and multilateralism principles.

Strengthening Venezuela-Brazil Relations

On the same day, to celebrate Brazil’s 203rd Independence Anniversary, Venezuela’s Deputy Minister for Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania, Tatiana Pugh Moreno, accompanied Brazilian Ambassador Glivania María de Oliveira in placing flowers at the sarcophagus of Simón Bolívar in the National Pantheon of Caracas.

The ceremony, attended by various diplomats and officials from Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry, featured the national anthems of both Venezuela and Brazil, symbolizing their strong bilateral ties.

Since the suspension of bilateral relations in 2019, ties between Venezuela and Brazil have been revitalized following Lula’s return to the presidency in 2023. Increased cooperation has been a focus, with recent engagements highlighting mutual interests.

Furthermore, during the Amazonian Countries Summit in Bogotá, Foreign Ministers Yván Gil and Mauro Vieira reiterated their commitment to national and regional sovereignty, particularly in light of US aggression plans, further strengthening their diplomatic relationship.

Draghi Report’s Impact on EU Energy Strategy Remains Limited

Despite significant recommendations outlined in the Draghi report, the European Union has made minimal progress in implementing its proposals, with only 11 percent being acted upon, reports 24brussels. The findings are highlighted in a report by the European Policy Innovation Council, indicating a troubling stagnation in the energy sector, where no actions have been completed.

Stéphane Séjourné, the Commission’s executive vice president responsible for industrial strategy, acknowledged the so-called “Draghi effect,” which often diminishes when legislative matters are addressed among member states. He emphasized the alignment of proposals with the Draghi report but highlighted the challenges in achieving consensus.

MEP Anna Stürgkh pointed out that national interests often hinder collaborative efforts. In her recent study on the electricity grid presented in an event marking a year since the Draghi report’s release, the Austrian Renew Europe lawmaker remarked that individual countries are reluctant to share affordable energy resources with neighboring nations.

“If they interconnect with countries that have higher energy prices, their prices will go up,” Stürgkh stated, underlining the economic risks associated with such policies.

Former MEP Luis Garicano further elucidated that the stagnation is not a result of the Commission’s inaction regarding the banking union but reflects the reluctance of governments to facilitate capital movement across borders. “It’s the governments that don’t actually want to allow the capital to flow from one country to the next,” he said, stressing the political barriers that continue to fragment the banking sector.

This entrenched parochialism extends beyond banking to issues like common debt, which has faced roadblocks from fiscally conservative nations like Germany and the Netherlands, as well as to defense and financial integration. The subdued economic climate, coupled with reduced governmental spending after the COVID-19 pandemic, further complicates the push for strategic European goals.

Migration Policy in Europe Under Review Amidst Economic Concerns

Europe continues to open its doors to those fleeing conflict and climate change, yet the management of migration is becoming increasingly urgent. The recent initiative, following the launch of the Migration and Asylum Pact, aims to streamline deportations, impose stricter penalties on rejected migrants who fail to exit the bloc, and establish hubs in non-EU countries for those awaiting deportation, reports 24brussels.

As populist parties leverage migration for political advantage, European leaders stress the necessity of a balanced system that protects genuine asylum seekers while clarifying rules for forced returns and incentivizing voluntary departures. The focus remains on attracting global talent, particularly in leading sectors such as life sciences and biotechnology.

Recent findings from the Eurobarometer survey highlight that the pressing concern for Europeans is the cost of living crisis, with families struggling to afford housing. In response, the European Commission is committing to alleviating this burden, taking decisive action to ease financial pressures facing households.

To address housing shortages, Europe plans to unveil its first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan early next year. This initiative will promote the construction of new homes and the renovation of existing properties, with a target of eradicating homelessness by 2030. Accompanying measures will limit speculative practices, regulate short-term rentals in overheated markets, and reduce bureaucratic hurdles to stimulate both public and private sector investments in housing.

Energy costs remain a significant concern for citizens, and the Commission is actively pursuing solutions. Notably, the EU aims to eliminate dependency on Russian gas by 2027, as outlined in the REPowerEU roadmap. The agreement with Washington to increase energy imports from the U.S. over the next three years aligns with efforts to diversify energy sources and further the EU’s commitment to green policies embraced by many lawmakers.