Suchergebnisse

As the Brazilian president's special advisor on international affairs since 2003, Marco Aurelio Garcia was one of the key members of Lula's administration. Today, he is working alongside Lula's successor, Dilma Rousseff. Garcia also played a decisive role in raising Brazil's profile in the international arena. Talking to Stephane Monclaire, he looks back over the dynamic foreign policy initiatives pursued under the Lula presidency: a strengthened Mercosur, South-South cooperation, efforts to mediate with Iran on its nuclear intentions, and an enhanced role for Brazil within the G20. These successes, says Garcia, go hand in hand with the immense popularity and global renown of Lula, but were also fuelled by strong growth and the country's fight against poverty. Adapted from the source document.

After seven years as Mr. Euro (President of the monthly meeting of eurozone finance ministers), Jean-Claude Juncker is once more preparing to take on the relatively ordinary role of head of government. Since the outbreak of the sovereign debt crisis two years ago, the Luxembourg Prime Minister has spared no effort in defending the single currency. However, he does not join those who are proclaiming victory a bit early. The situation of the most fragile countries, particularly Greece, is still disturbing. More financial regulation measures are needed. When asked about the Sarkozy/Merkel partnership, Jean-Claude Juncker scoffs at the idea that the French-German duo holds Directory-style power over the European Union. In fact, many Paris and Berlin initiatives have been ignored by the eurozone. Luckily, there is still room for the small countries, often more virtuous than their larger cousins, to get their voices heard. Adapted from the source document.