São Paulo – Its population, territorial dimension and strong presence in international bodies throughout its history makes Brazil an international player. The country can, however, become even more present in external bodies, said on Wednesday (28th) night the vice-president of International Relations of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, ambassador Osmar Chohfi.
Currently retired from his diplomatic career, Chohfi was Brazil’s ambassador in Spain and Ecuador, worked at Brazilian diplomatic representations in Argentina, the United States and France, among other countries, and was secretary general of Foreign Affairs from 2001 to 2002. At the Arab Chamber’s auditorium, in the city of São Paulo, he presented the lecture “Brazil and its international insertion, South American integration and opportunities”. In the audience, there were representatives of member companies of the Arab Chamber, directors and staff members.
“Brazil has been an important player in the world stage, but I believe that it could still be closer to more bodies and organizations. I mention as example the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Brazil needs to be a full member of OECD. However, we can’t ignore the domestic circumstances the country is facing”, he said to ANBA at the end of the event, mentioning the political and economic challenges that the country is going through.
According to Chohfi, a strong international presence brings benefits to the country. “Our development project wouldn’t be build outside the international participation, which is what we see in our diplomatic relations, and also cultural, commercial and others”, he said.
Chohfi reminded that in a near future it will be the decisions taken jointly between the countries that will define their international presence and even their economic development. He pointed out as an example the 21st Conference on Climate Change (COP21), to be held in Paris, France, in December.
“Brazil has made an offer [about climate targets] that [if applied] will impact its economy and influence its economic development”, he said in a reference to the probable targets that will be adopted for the reduction of greenhouse gas emission from this conference on.
Relationship with the Arabs
In his presentation, Chohfi said that Brazil has a large Arab community, which turns it into an important speaker with the Middle East and North Africa nations, as well as expands trade opportunities and partnerships.
“There isn’t other country with the same type of relationship with the Arabs such as Brazil. Some, historically speaking, were closer, but on the whole the relationships are very important. There’s an increasing trade, for instance. However, we have to converge in topics such as the environment. And in the economic and trade relations the potential is great. We can and should bring them [Arab investors] here to invest and show them our experiences in the sectors that we have the know-how, such as agriculture”, he said.
Therefore, he emphasized the importance of the Brazilian participation in the Summit South American-Arab Countries (Aspa), to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November. However, neither president Dilma Rousseff, nor the vice-president Michel Temer, have confirmed their participation in the event up to Tuesday night. If they don’t attend the event, said Chohfi, their absence could be seen as a lack of interest for the projects that bring together the 34 countries that are taking part of the initiative.
“Brazil’s situation demands a great political participation, but [its absence] it can be seen as a lack of interest. However, the Arab countries have embassies in Brasília, the ambassador knows the type of moment that Brazil is going through and should explain this to their countries”, he said.
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
