Asunción, Agencia IP.- President Santiago Peña welcomed his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and his delegation for a visit that opens up opportunities for greater economic integration, support for the energy transition, and investment possibilities in Paraguay.
The delegation of German authorities and parliamentarians presents an opportunity to showcase Paraguay’s progress over the last 25 years, President Peña stated. «For us, it is a great desire that Germany can rediscover Paraguay,» he said during the joint statement last at the Government Palace.
«I believe this visit and the connections that may emerge will allow a key player in the European Union to gain more information to argue in favor of this great transformation process (in Paraguay),» he added, referring to the future of the energy transition, food production, and the ratification of the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union.
Energy transition
The German President announced signing cooperation projects in the energy sector, highlighting Paraguay’s leadership as a producer and exporter of renewable energy in the region. He also mentioned biodiversity conservation projects in the Paraguayan Chaco, supported by Germany’s state-owned bank, KfW.
Regarding this, Peña stated that Paraguay «wants to play a leading role in this transition from fossil fuels to biofuels» and sees Germany as a global leader—the world’s fourth-largest economy and responsible for 25% of the European Union’s GDP—capable of advancing this process.
Regarding sustainable production and environmental responsibility, the Paraguayan President reaffirmed that «Paraguay wants to be a global leader in sustainability.» In addition to its capacity to produce food and its minimal contribution of 0.01% to global greenhouse gas emissions, «we are fighting against the misuse of the environment,» he said, highlighting efforts to combat wildfires and enforce sanctions «against those who seek to take advantage of these climate phenomena.»
Mercosur – EU Agreement
The leaders agreed on the importance of ratifying the trade agreement between the two blocs, establishing a free trade zone of 715 million people. Steinmeier said that Germany’s business volume with Mercosur was €24 billion, so both sides are interested in ratifying this agreement.
Peña, for his part, emphasized the significance of the visit, allowing the German authorities to witness Paraguay’s production firsthand. «The delegation of authorities and parliamentarians will see the great potential and that many concerns regarding environmental laws and the rule of law can be addressed—we must demonstrate that we comply. Paraguay is willing to meet the highest standards,» he stated.