Brasília – The government of Brazil is discarding the possibility of suspending agreements with Egypt, despite the worsening of the crisis in the country, said on Wednesday (21) the Brazilian envoy to the Middle East, Turkey and Iran, ambassador Cesário Melantonio Neto. The diplomat warned that the situation in the country is closely followed with concern by Brazil, due to the fear of a civil war in the region.
“Brazil is following what is taking place in Egypt with great concern, as there is fear [among the international community] of a civil war. We defend the search for a solution through dialogue and a democratic way out,” pointed out Melantonio Neto.
Despite the impact of the Arab Spring in Egypt in 2011, the country has not reduced its volume of trade with Brazil. Alongside Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran, Egypt is among Brazil’s main Islamic partners. In 2012, the volume of bilateral trade reached US$ 2.7 billion.
The Brazilian reaction takes place at the same time as the foreign ministers of 28 countries in the European Union announce the suspension of export licenses of safety equipment and weapons to Egypt. In an extraordinary meeting in Brussels (the Belgian capital), the ministers decided to reanalyse assistance to Egypt, in an answer to the violence that has killed 750 people in the country in three days.
*Translated by Mark Ament
