EU-Mercosur: President Costa and President von der Leyen to travel to Brazil and Paraguay

The President of the European Council, António Costa, together with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will attend the EU-Mercosur signature ceremony in Asunción, Paraguay on 17 January 2026. Ahead of the ceremony, on 16 January, President Costa and President von der Leyen will visit Rio de Janeiro to meet President Lula of Brazil.

EU-Mercosur signature

After 25 years of negotiations, on Saturday 17 January the European Union and Mercosur agreements will be signed in Asunción, Paraguay, with President Costa and President von der Leyen participating. This step follows the adoption by the Council on 9 January of two decisions authorising the signature of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and of the Interim Trade Agreement (iTA) between both sides. This is an important milestone in the EU’s long-standing relationship with Mercosur partners – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay – which reflects the European Union commitment to building partnerships across the globe to diversify trade and reaffirm a rules-based multilateral order.

Official visit to Brazil

Ahead of the signing ceremony of the EU-Mercosur agreements in Asunción, President Costa, together with President von der Leyen will visit Brazil for a trilateral meeting with President Inácio Lula da Silva in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil is a key partner for the European Union on trade, investment, climate, multilateralism, the rules-based order, democracy, and human rights. The latest Brazilian presidency of Mercosur was crucial to advance the negotiations of the European Union-Mercosur agreement, paving the way to its signature later this week in Paraguay. This official visit will reinforce this strong alliance and further strengthen the bilateral relationship.

Press opportunities in Brazil and Paraguay

After the trilateral meeting in Brazil between President Costa, President von der Leyen, and President Lula, the leaders will deliver press statements at around 13.30 local time [17.30 CET], followed by a family photo planned for 13.55 [17.55 CET]. The event will be live-streamed on social media and the EBS.

The signing ceremony in Asunción, Paraguay will start at 13.00 local time [17.00 CET] on Saturday, 17 January 2026. It will be followed by a family photo around 14.00 [18.00 CET] and a press conference at around 14.20 [18.20 CET]. The events will be live-streamed on EBS.

Background

The agreements will establish a framework for political dialogue, cooperation, and trade relations within a modernised and comprehensive partnership. The agreements will require the consent of the European Parliament before they can be formally concluded by the Council. Ratification by all EU member states will also be required for the EMPA to enter into force.

More information: European Council