Moscow, 2 December 2021 (TDI): On November 30, Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, and his Brazilian counterpart, Carlos Franca, held a joint media press conference. The event took place in Moscow and aimed to commemorate the 20 years of the strategic alliance between Russia and Brazil.
COMMEMORATION OF 20 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP
Whilst addressing the news companies, world leaders, Russian and Brazil citizens, Minister Lavrov announced that it was Franca’s first time visiting Russia as Brazilian Foreign Minister. Therefore, he formally extended a warm welcome to him and his delegation.
Lavrov further discussed the discourse which took place with his Brazilian counterpart before the press conference. He stressed that the exchange occurred in an environment consisting of trust and mutual understanding. Lavrov then added that this is typical of strong bilateral ties.
Lavrov then remarked on the foundation of the partnership between Russia and Brazil. According to Lavrov, both consolidated their partnership 20 years ago. He added that this recent interaction strengthened the resolve of this friendship, and both parties expressed a clear commitment to further enhancing relations.
2021 AT A GLANCE
In Latin America and the Caribbean, Brazil is Russia’s pioneering economic partner. From January to September of 2021, trade between the two nations rose by 75 percent to $4.9 billion. This is greater than the amount traded in all of 2020. Thus, it speaks for the brilliantly improving trade relations between Russia and Brazil.
Secondly, on October 25-26, the 11th meeting of the Russian-Brazilian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation was held in Brasilia. Several areas of cooperation were brought to light, in which ties would be enhanced.
These include agriculture, nuclear energy, space, pharmaceuticals, and defense industry cooperation. Both parties hope to establish a bilateral technological alliance. Practical steps in the direction of implementing agreements and partnerships are necessary to give life to this common objective.
FURTHER STEPS OF BOTH COUNTRIES
Minister Lavrov additionally noted that in 2022, that both will conduct a strategic review of the relations. During the high-level commission, the Prime Minister of Russia, Mikhail Mishustin, as chair, and Vice-president of Brazil, Hamilton Mourão, will review their relations.
Furthermore, in his speech, Lavrov expressed both nations’ shared interest in developing people-to-people contacts; and also cultural and educational exchanges. He gave the example of the Bolshoi Theatre School set up in Joinville, Santa Catarina, in 2000. The two ministers demonstrated a need to carry out more such projects.
They also agreed to coordinate with each other in the fight against Covid-19, and commented that prospects were good in this regard.
In addition to that, they expressed an interest in developing bilateral cooperation in the avenue of foreign policy. They have discussed their work in this matter at renowned organizations such as the United Nations, the G20, and BRICS.
Finally, both sides reached a consensus to continue engaging in dialogues on pressing issues such as strategic stability, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, arms control, cyber security, and the development of universal green economy standards. Russia and Brazil recently signed a Plan of Political Consultations for 2022-2025, which, according to Lavrov, has become “a potent mechanism for foreign policy coordination.”
To conclude, the Russian Minister remarked that the talks held were productive and fruitful. He then added that those talks will pave the way for future Brazil-Russia relations. In effect, the two countries will hope to celebrate an additional 20 years of friendship in the future.
