Brasília – After a meeting held this Thursday (12th) at government seat Palácio do Planalto, in Brasília, Brazil’s president Dilma Rousseff and France’s François Hollande spoke for joint efforts in cyber-defence. Brazil and France have both been targeted by espionage from the United States National Security Agency (NSA).
“We are very much interested in a partnership with France in all areas relating to cyber-defence,” Rousseff told the press. “We want to be partners in building a more just, egalitarian, democratic world order,” she added.
Rousseff invited Hollande to attend an event on e-governance due in São Paulo in April next year, featuring government officials and civil society delegates. Hollande said he will send a delegation from France.
The French president said the subject calls for firm reactions. “The revelations that we have had prompt a strong reaction, and require a policy that will protect our rights and prevent this from happening again.”
He said that during the meeting with Rousseff, he reiterated France’s support to her initiative with regard to digital governance. In November, Brazil and Germany presented a project at the United Nations General Assembly focusing on privacy in the digital age. “We support this initiative because it is crucial to our sovereignty and individual freedoms,” said Hollande.
The conflicts in Syria were also discussed by the two presidents. “There is a significant number of people of Syrian ascent in Brazil, and as such it supports diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, and understands the urgency in fighting the humanitarian crisis that the country is facing,” said Rousseff. Hollande also expressed concern over peace in Syria. “We have managed to destroy chemical weapons, but we haven’t achieved peace yet,” he said.
With regard to Iran, Rousseff said Brazil hopes a satisfactory agreement is reached – one that will address the concerns of the international community, while respecting Iran’s right to use nuclear energy to peaceful ends.
Rousseff closed her address in an uplifting tone, saying she hopes France does well in the 2014 World Cup, but that she is certain Brazil will be the victor. “I am sure Brazil will be the winner, but I believe it is important for France to place high in the championship. I say this as a soccer fan.”
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
