Lula is received with military honors by Merz in Hanover before visit to Portugal and EU-Mercosur negotiations

Brazilian President Lula da Silva, who visits Portugal on Tuesday, was received this Sunday (19) with military honors at the Herrenhausen Palace, in Hanover, central Germany, by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

At the beginning of a two-day visit with an economic focus, the published agenda foresees that Merz and Lula will meet on the terrace of the neo-baroque palace of Herrenhausen.

During this bilateral meeting, Lula and Merz are expected to assess the state of German-Brazilian relations, characterized by strong economic ties, which the leaders wish to reinforce, according to the agenda.

The visit to Germany coincides with the Hanover Fair, of which Brazil is the guest country, and the Brazilian President and his delegation will hold consultations with the German government. Fifteen ministers were invited to these consultations: seven from the Brazilian government and eight from the German government.

The German government indicated that the topics to be addressed in the consultations include the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, which will provisionally enter into force in May, as well as trade in raw materials, defense cooperation, digitalization and innovation.

The Brazilian President’s visit to Hanover follows an invitation made by Merz to Lula at the end of November, during COP30, held in the Brazilian city of Belém.

The chancellor then invited the head of state of Latin America’s largest economy to accompany him at the Hanover Fair, considered one of the main industrial exhibitions in the world.

This year’s 79th edition of the international industrial event features more than 150 countries represented by 3,000 exhibitors.

Brazil is the guest country, with approximately 2,700 square meters at the fair, with 300 Brazilian companies and around 140 stands.

After the reception and meeting at Herrenhausen Palace, Merz and Lula will head to the fair grounds to see the facilities.

The day should end with a working dinner with representatives from the business world.

On Tuesday, the president of the Republic of Portugal, António José Seguro, will also receive in Lisbon the president of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.