The president of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvadefended today in the capital of Angola the need for his country to cooperate with the African continent, sharing knowledge and technologies, instead of limiting itself to exporting products.
The Brazilian head of state made these statements during a press conference after a meeting with the Brazilian community in Luanda, where he landed on Thursday after participating this week in the XV Summit of Heads of State and Government of the group of emerging economies BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).
”Brazil has to bet on the relationship with the African continent. We have to bet, because our Navy can provide service, just like our Army, our aeronautics, our engineering. We want to recover our shipbuilding industry (…) We can grow together”, he affirmed after considering that “Brazil cannot simply want to export to Africa”.
”No matter the size of the country or the GDP (Gross Domestic Product), we have to be in Africa and represent our country. That is why I want to visit many African countries starting next year”, announced the Brazilian president.
Lula also made reference to the fact that no Brazilian airline operates in Africawhich in his opinion is “shameful”, and he assured that upon his arrival in Brazil he will invite aviation companies and the Ministry of Transportation, among other institutions, to discuss this issue.
During the press conference, the Brazilian president confirmed the opening of a consulate in Luanda, a city that already has a Brazilian embassy, where around 30,000 Brazilians live.
Before the press conference and the meeting with the Brazilian community in Luanda, Lula visited the main naval base of the Angolan Navy and participated in the inauguration of the Ovídio de Melo Gallery at the Guimarães Rosa Institute in Luanda, an entity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil focused on cultural and educational diplomacy.
This afternoon the farewell ceremony will take place at the Palace of the Presidency of the Republic.
Parallel to the visit of Lula An economic forum was held with the participation of 800 Angolan and Brazilian businessmen, 170 of whom are part of the official delegation of the President of Brazil.
Seven cooperation agreements were also signed between the governments of both countries.
The president will leave Angola this Sunday for Sao Tome and Principe, the last stop on his tour in Africa, where he will participate in the summit of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), to which they belong, in addition to Brazil and Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal and East Timor.
(With information from EFE)
Source: Gestion
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