São Paulo – In an official visit to Lebanon that ended this Wednesday (16th), the Brazilian minister of Foreign Relations Mauro Vieira convened with the country’s top government officials and discussed increasing bilateral trade. Vieira also spoke about diplomatic affairs and attended a cultural event in Beirut. This was his first trip to an Arab country as Foreign Minister since taking office in January this year.
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry reported that Vieira met in Beirut with Lebanon’s prime-minister Nabih Berri and minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Gebran Bassil. During the meetings, the Foreign Minister discussed broadening Brazil’s bilateral agenda with Lebanon, with an emphasis on heightening trade and investment between the two countries.
Bilateral trade is on the rise, but still lacks relevance. In 2014, Brazilian trade flows with Lebanon amounted to US$ 332 million, with a surplus of roughly US$ 300 million on the Brazilian side. Brazil mostly exports meats and coffee to Lebanon, which in turn sells phosphate to Brazil.
On the Brazilian Foreign Ministry’s official Facebook page, Vieira said the large Syrian-Lebanese community in Brazil could be a factor in bringing the two countries closer to each other. “They all expressed their interest in further enhancing their cooperation with Brazil, which is already at an excellent level. We discussed the importance of the Syrian-Lebanese community in Brazil, which works as a bridge to bring our countries closer,” he stated.
As per the Ministry’s estimates, there are 7 million Lebanese natives or descendants living in Brazil. Regional security and the political scenario in Lebanon were also the topic of discussions. The Arab country has had no president since May of last year, when Michel Suleiman’s term in office came to a close.
Lebanon’s Foreign Affairs minister Gebran Bassil said his country supports Brazil’s participation in a reformed United Nations Security Council. He also asserted that Lebanon recognizes the constructive role played by Brazil in peace and security affairs. Brazil is pressing for reform in the UN Security Council and wants to play a bigger part in it. However, only five nations are permanent members with veto power over the decisions made by the group – the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom.
Last Tuesday (15th), the Brazilian FM and the Brazilian ambassador in Beirut, Jorge Kadri, attended the inauguration of the library of the Brazil-Lebanon Cultural Center in the Arab country’s capital. On the occasion, 4,000 were donated to the library, which is named after the famous Brazilian writer Machado de Assis. A Lebanese student who attends Portuguese language classes at the Cultural Center recited a poem and read a text by the writer after whom the library is named.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
