Manama – The streets of the city of Manama were displaying Brazil and Bahrain flags, side by side, this Tuesday (16) to receive the Brazilian presidential delegation. It was the first time a Brazilian head of state visited the Gulf country. Jair Bolsonaro and about 20 people from the mission to Dubai traveled to Bahrain for the official opening of the Brazilian Embassy in the Arab nation, the only one in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that did not yet have a Brazilian embassy, and previously was represented by the diplomatic mission to Kuwait.
“It is a great satisfaction, together with my delegation, to participate in this event that materializes understanding and cooperation between our peoples,” said the president in his speech at the opening (pictured above). He stated there is great room for the expansion of business between Brazil and the Kingdom of Bahrain. He also noted the embassy is an essential step in bringing the two countries closer together.
The newly arrived charge d’affaires, Alberto Fonseca; the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos França; and the Bahrain Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani; spoke at the embassy’s opening. Fonseca said despite having only been in the country for a few days, he already has enormous affection for it. “From today onwards, this embassy will serve Brazil and the Brazilian people, and also as a home for the growth of relations between Brazil and the beloved Kingdom of Bahrain in the sociocultural, political, economic, commercial, and investment fields,” said the charge d’affaires.
This year, Bahrain celebrates 50 years of independence. “It is therefore very opportune in this significant year that your Excellency [the president] has decided to open the embassy in this country,” said the minister. He stated relations between Brazil and Bahrain are at their highest point on this occasion, and he is open to helping further strengthen ties between the countries.
The Brazilian delegation included first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, two of the president’s sons; senator Flávio Bolsonaro and federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos França; the Minister of Tourism, Gilson Machado Neto; the Minister of Defense, Walter Braga Netto; the Chief Minister of the Institutional Security Office, General Augusto Heleno; the Special Secretary for Culture, Mário Frias; and other Brazilian federal authorities.
The presidential schedule in Bahrain included a meeting with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Bolsonaro was welcomed with a lunch at the Royal Palace and signed cooperation agreements in politics, sports, and culture.
Brazil-Bahrain Economic Forum
Bolsonaro spoke at the closing of the Brazil-Bahrain Economic Cooperation Forum, had meetings at the Bahrain Economic Development Council, and participated in a special session of the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence.
“It is the first time a Brazilian head of State has come to Bahrain, but it seems I have been here many times,” said Bolsonaro during the closing of the Economic Forum organized by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bahrain.
“Brazil and Bahrain have a great future. You have opened the embassy [in Brasília] in 2018. When I took over, I determined this was the only country that lacked an embassy, and our relationship will be increasingly solid,” said the Brazilian president.
He stated countries could complement each other on what their economies lack. “Brazil is open for you, and there is no lack of opportunities. Trust is the foundation of this relationship. Count on our country because we count on you,” he declared.
On this occasion, two MoUs were signed in the presence of the president. One between the ABCC and the Bahrain Chamber, and another between the ABCC and the Federation of Gulf Cooperation Council Chambers (FGCCC).
The president of the Bahrain Chamber, Sameer Nass; the president of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), Augusto Pestana; and the president of the ABCC, Osmar Chohfi; also spoke at the closing ceremony.
“This is an occasion of great significance, with the president’s first visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. As a former member of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it gives me immense joy to see how Brazil’s relations with the countries of the GCC have progressed, especially with Bahrain,” said Chohfi.
“There are numerous opportunities, and we look forward to expanding our cooperation,” said Nass. Pestana said a new bridge was built between Brazil and Bahrain, and the intention is to facilitate exchanges in both directions. “The potential exists, and it is up to us to work and transform this into concrete results,” said the president of Apex-Brasil.
Motorcycle tour in Qatar
“For the press in Brazil, tell them tomorrow there will be a motorcycle tour in Qatar,” declared the president upon arriving at the event to the small group of Brazilian reporters who traveled to the country. Before leaving, he confirmed the tour, said he was invited to ride a Harley-Davidson, and accepted, and it will be the first time he will ride this motorcycle model. He informed the trip to Bahrain was paid for by the Arab country.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
