EUVP visit story - Rodolpho Zannin Feijó

Are you considering applying for the EUVP visit? Ever wondered how the EUVP programmes are organised and what their outcomes are? Follow the “EUVP visit stories”, featuring unique reports and testimonials from those who have joined us at the heart of the EU! Today, we present you the article written by our visitor from Brazil, Mr Rodolpho Zannin Feijó who heads the International Affairs office of the city of Curitiba.

European Union Visitors Program: a bridge between two worlds

Bilateral relations between Brazil and Europe are the subject of fruitful studies, very useful for the development of our institutions. These studies have resulted in a vast, literature and are widely debated over the last few decades. Among the most current and debatable topics we can find dialogues on the Mercosur-European Union Trade Agreement, of which Brazil is part.

An initiative promoted in this bilateral scope, although unknown to the mainstream media, is of remarkable value. It is the European Union Visitors Program, the EUVP. Created in 1974 as a tool of foreign policy, this initiative plays a valuable role in promoting shared values and, above all, a common future between Brazil and the European Union.

Each year the EUVP invites young leaders from around the world for study visits to European institutions. This year, among these young people, there were three Brazilians. After submitting my application and participating in the EUVP selection process, I was informed that my application had been accepted. My enthusiasm is justified - a process of deepening the European spirit of development and cooperation has begun.

In usual times, participants spend one week in Brussels and Strasbourg, where they are received by high-level officials from institutions such as the European Commission and the European Parliament. Participants can benefit from their meetings adapting them to the topics of their interests. This year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, face-to-face visits were replaced by virtual meetings. And so I had the valuable opportunity to talk to senior European representatives and to understand their perspectives in depth.

Through the work of an attentive team, the European Union offered full support during the preparation of the programme. I directed my topics of interest to the areas where I see the best prospects for common progress between the European Union and Brazil, more specifically the city of Curitiba.

Let me highlight the meeting with the senior trade experts responsible for the European Union-Mercosur treaty, which was particularly timely and interesting. In addition, the meeting with the climate diplomacy division of the European Commission resulted in a significant exchange of knowledge and experiences.

All meetings, although separated by the distance imposed by the digital circumstances, were rich for both sides. Are there any divergences or incompatibilities between Brazil and the EU? Yes, many. But there is also a certainty, which is a strong and lasting one: we have much more common interests and values than differences.

The European Union bridge is solid and standing. It is up to us to cross it!

We thank Mr Zannin Feijó for sharing these interesting impressions! We are looking forward to continuing building bridges between countries, continents and people. See EU soon!