São Paulo – Brazil’s minister of Foreign Affairs Aloysio Nunes (pictured above on the left) and his Algerian counterpart Abdelkader Messahel (on the right) signed a memorandum of understanding this Monday (23) establishing a partnership between their countries’ diplomatic academies. The document was signed during a visit of Brazil’s FM to the Arab country, where he was also welcomed by prime minister Ahmed Ouyahia, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry said.
Algerie Presse Service (APS) reported that the MoU involves Algeria’s Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations and Brazil’s Rio Branco Institute, which handle diplomat training in each country.
Nunes and Messahel led the 2nd Brazil-Algeria Strategic Dialogue Meeting, where strategic affairs of mutual interest are discussed. The Brazilian and Algerian delegates went over ways to boost trade, especially through increased business contacts, and the signing of a cooperation and investment facilitation agreement.
According to the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, the delegates also said there is strong potential for experience-sharing on policies and social programs between Brazil and Algeria. Impressions were exchanged on the regional scenario in South America, which Brazil is part of, and North Africa, where Algeria is.
APS quoted Nunes as saying that although Brazil-Algeria political ties are very harmonic, there is work to be done in the economic realm, including diversification of trade and enhancement of business relations. He also mentioned the need to increase economic partnerships in order to facilitate investment.
APS reported that Algeria’s FM said both parties agreed to review and complete agreements to create a legal framework for cooperation, enabling companies to work comfortably and with the necessary guarantees in place. He also said Brazil-Algeria trade falls short of what it could be.
Brazil-Algeria trade amounted to USD 1.4 billion in the first half of the year, with exports from Brazil to Algeria reaching USD 510 million and exports from Algeria to Brazil amounting to USD 943.8 million. Goods sold from Brazil to Algeria include sugar, meats, maize and soya oil, and goods sold from Algeria to Brazil include oil and gas industry products and fertilizers.
During his trip to the Arab country, Nunes also visited the Martyrs’ Memorial. On Sunday, he attended a demonstration of the Embraer 190-E2 aircraft at the Houari Boumediene Airport. Algerian aviation industry players were also in attendance.
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
