Is Brazil an EU country?

Satunnainen

Brazil is not a member of the European Union (EU). The European Union is a political and economic union that includes 27 European countries. Brazil is located in South America, so it does not meet the geographical criteria for EU membership. In the following, the relationship between Brazil and the EU and the criteria for EU membership will be discussed in more detail.

Criteria for EU membership

The criteria for membership of the European Union are defined in the Copenhagen criteria, which were adopted in 1993. These criteria include:

  • Political criteria: Stable institutions that guarantee democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for minorities.
  • Economic criteria: A functioning market economy and the ability to cope with competitive pressures and market forces in the EU.
  • Acquis criteria: Ability to adopt EU legislation and rules (acquis communautaire).

Brazil does not meet these criteria because it is not located in Europe and has not applied for EU membership.

The relationship between Brazil and the EU

Although Brazil is not a member of the EU, it has a significant relationship with the European Union. Brazil and the EU cooperate in many different areas, such as trade, environmental protection and human rights. Brazil is also part of Mercosur, the South American economic union that has negotiated a free trade agreement with the EU.

Cooperation and trade

The EU is one of Brazil’s most important trade partners. In 2019, the EU and Mercosur reached an agreement in principle on a free trade agreement, which is one of the largest trade agreements in the world. This agreement covers:

  1. The liberalization of trade in goods and services
  2. Investment Protection
  3. Cooperation in the field of sustainable development

More information on the relationship between the EU and Brazil can be found on the website of the European Commission: European Commission – Brazil.

Summary

Brazil is not an EU country because it is not located in Europe and does not meet the criteria for EU membership. However, Brazil and the EU have strong economic and political relations that are mutually beneficial. These relations include, among other things, trade, investments and cooperation in the field of sustainable development.

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