Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is inviting South American presidents to attend a seminar in Brasilia on May 30 to discuss “revitalizing regional integration” through the recently relaunched Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), urging the presidents to leave aside their differences “in the name of a common destiny” and work on such issues as defense, infrastructure and healthcare.
According to Brazil’s daily O Globo, Lula’s message is that, given the current challenging world geopolitical situation, it’s important to seek “collective solutions” and situate South America as an actor on the world stage. Lula is stressing that the whole region must be seen as a “region of peace and cooperation,” and that all heads of state should come prepared to sit at the table and speak with transparency and a “constructive spirit.”
