São Paulo – President Jair Bolsonaro mentioned the tour he’ll make to the Arab countries during speech at the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) this Tuesday (24) in New York while referring to partnerships that Brazil has developed in his government. While addressing how the country contributes to peace processes, he mentioned Brazilian collaboration in the UN mission in Lebanon.
“Throughout the year, we’ve developed a wide international agenda aimed to reestablish Brazil’s role on the world’s stage and resume relations with important partners,” said Bolsonaro. He mentioned his participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, his visits to the United States, Chile, Israel and Argentine, and the rapprochement to other Mercosur’s countries, Paraguay and Uruguay.
“Later this year, we’ll visit important Asian partners, both in the Far East and Middle East. These visits will reinforce our friendship and strengthen our relations with Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. We intend to follow on the same path with all Arab world and Asia,” he said. Bolsonaro will tour Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar in late October.
He said he’s eager to visit partners and friends in Africa, Oceania and Europe too. “As you can see, Brazil is country open to the world, looking for partnerships with everyone that is interested in working for prosperity, peace and freedom,” said the president during the Assembly.
Bolsonaro said Brazil condemns religious persecution acts. “Recently, we’ve witnessed in several regions coward attacks preying on believers gathered in churches, synagogues and mosques,” he said. He said Brazil’s devotion to the peace cause is proved by its contributions to the UN missions.
The president pointed out that Brazil has taken part in UN peacekeeping missions. “In different circumstances, in Haiti, Lebanon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Brazilian contingents are seen by the quality of their work and respect for peoples, human rights and the 17 principles guiding peacekeeping operations,” he said.
Bolsonaro said he represents a new country that is getting back on its feet, reinforcing partnerships and regaining political and economic confidence. He said it’s a new Brazil that is resurfacing after being “on the brink of socialism.” “There can be no political freedom with no economic freedom. And vice-versa. Free market, concessions and privatizations are already present in Brazil,” he said.
Mentioning the signing of the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union and European Free Trade Association (EFTA), he said Brazil is opening its economy and becoming integrated to value global chains. “We intend to move forward with several other agreements over the next months,” he said. According to Bolsonaro, Brazil is ready to start the process to become a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Bolsonaro spoke at length about Amazon, Indigenous and the environment. He said that his government is committed to the environmental preservation and sustainable development and championed the sovereignty of the nation in taking care of the Amazon and environmental issues.
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
