European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela concluded a six-day mission in Brazil on 24 June 2026, aimed at advancing EU-Brazil investments under the Global Gateway strategy and turning opportunities from the EU-Mercosur Agreement into concrete projects. The mission focused on supporting strategic investments for Brazil's sustainable and digital transitions while generating jobs, strengthening value chains, and boosting competitiveness.
During the mission, Síkela announced a new Global Gateway investment of €260.8 million linked to the EllaLink digital corridor, a direct high-capacity fibre-optic connection between Europe and Latin America. The EU contribution will support smart nodes, data resilience, cybersecurity, and environmental monitoring along the route. He also signed a financing agreement to bring connectivity to remote Amazon communities lacking internet access, in partnership with the Institute of Technological Development (INDT) of Manaus, Nokia, and Hispasat. The initiative will connect five communities to education, health services, public administration, and economic opportunities.
In the energy sector, the EU and Brazil advanced cooperation on green hydrogen. A key project is the Northeast Green Energy Park, which aims to convert renewable energy into green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green steel, with Green Shipping Corridors linking Brazil to Europe. Through the H2Uppp programme, implemented with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the EU is investing €3 million to help promising green hydrogen projects move from concept to financing. Nine projects were selected in the first phase, eight are preparing full proposals, and first contracts are expected in the European autumn of 2026. The next phase of the programme was announced during the mission.
Síkela also announced a grant for indigenous women's rights in the Amazon. The project, Cunhaintá Kirimbawasá – The Strength of Women, will be implemented by ANMIGA and the Lutheran Foundation of Diaconia. Over three years, it will strengthen leadership and political voice of indigenous women across the Amazon, supporting 25 organisations and reaching 50 indigenous peoples.
During the mission, Síkela visited the São Paulo Metro Line 6, one of the largest infrastructure projects under construction in Latin America and a Team Europe initiative. The European Commission is evaluating support for the line's extension together with the European Investment Bank. In Minas Gerais, he visited the Colossus rare earths mine and pilot plant, one of four priority projects selected by the EU-Brazil Critical Raw Materials Task Force. In Rio de Janeiro, he inaugurated the Future Affairs Forum, supported by the EU and announced by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas during her visit to Brazil in September 2025. In Brasília, Síkela opened the 2nd EU-Brazil Investment Forum alongside Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin and met with high-level government officials, including Minister of Mines and Energy Alexandre Silveira and Minister of Management and Innovation in Public Services Miriam Belchior.
The Global Gateway strategy has mobilised over €300 billion in public and private investments globally. The EU has committed €10 billion through the Global Gateway Investment Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean, with Brazil as a central partner.