São Paulo – Brazil and the League of Arab States have signed this Wednesday (30th) in New York a memorandum of understanding for political, economic and cultural cooperation and consultation between the Brazilian Foreign Ministry (known as Itamaraty) and the secretariat-general of the Arab League. The agreement was signed by the Brazilian foreign minister Mauro Vieira and by the Arab League secretary-general, the Egyptian diplomat Nabil Elaraby, during parallel meetings at the General Assembly of the United Nations.
The Itamaraty reported that the memorandum provides for the sharing of information at annual meetings between Brazil and the Arab League to strengthen international, regional and bilateral ties. The agenda should include proposals designed to strengthen and expand relations between the parties, exchange views on international issues, and match positions in issues relating to the United Nations and its agencies, especially regarding peace, international security and development.
Regarding cooperation in economic issues, the MoU (memorandum of understanding) stipulates Itamaraty and the Arab League secretariat-general will call upon chambers of commerce to engage in the task of promoting trade, tourism and investments. It also provides that trade-related events be held in the Arab countries and in Brazil with support from the chambers of commerce.
Additionally, it states that culture-oriented partnerships already in place should be developed further, and new ones should be established, particularly when it comes to dialogue between different civilizations and cultures. According to Itamaraty, the partnerships listed under the MoU had been under discussion and should lead to closer ties between Brazil and the Arab League countries, which are Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain, Qatar, Djibouti, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, the Comoro Islands, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Sudan, Somalia and Tunisia.
Aspa Summit
This Wednesday, officials from countries in South America and the Arab Countries also convened in New York. The Itamaraty reported that the topics discussed pertained to the Summit of South American-Arab Countries, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia next November. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry declined to disclose further details about the meeting.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
