Brasília – The Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, stated today (22nd) during luncheon with the Lebanese president, Michel Sleiman, at the Brazilian foreign office (Itamaraty), in the Brazilian capital Brasília, that “Brazil wants to see Lebanon regain its position as a privileged gateway to investment and trade in the Arab world.” “We want to consolidate the role of Beirut as a launch pad for Brazilian business,” he declared.
In that respect, as informed by the Brazilian minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Miguel Jorge, the Brazil-Lebanon Business Council will be established to tap into business opportunities. One of the objectives is to seek a more even trade balance, as it is currently strongly biased in favour of Brazil.
“Since the beginning of my term in office, our trade has tripled, and reached US$ 300 million,” claimed Lula. “Now, we are faced with the challenge of balancing it. Part of the solution lies in diversifying the Lebanese export basket,” he added. “The balance is heavily tipped in favour of Brazil, we need to buy more,” said the president later on, during a press conference.
Miguel Jorge went to Beirut last week, heading a trade mission, and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Lebanese government on trade and investment which, according to Lula, “is going to multiply the results that we are already achieving.” Jorge mentioned olive oil and dried fruit as examples of products that the Lebanese may sell more of to Brazil.
Sleiman, in turn, asserted that trade relations between Lebanon and Brazil are “advanced” and “strengthened by the agreements that have been signed over the last few years.” Today, cooperation agreements in the fields of sports and social policies have been signed. He declared, however, that despite the progress made, trade relations “do not even come close to political and human ones.”
The Brazilian president also highlighted the role of his Lebanese counterpart in seeking solutions to the conflicts in the Middle East. “His leadership is inspired by the story of our late fellow countryman Rafik Hariri, who sacrificed his life for the cause that was closer to his heart: making Lebanon into an example of tolerance and prosperity for all of the Middle East,” he said.
Lula stated that the visit paid by Sleiman to Damascus, in Syria, is part of that quest. Relations between Syria and Lebanon are delicate. “This is the agenda of peace and reconciliation that our countries are going to take to the Security Council,” stated the Brazilian president, alluding to the fact that Brazil and Lebanon are presently temporary members of the UN Security Council.
According to Lula, “there will be no reconciliation in the region until Lebanon coexists in harmony with its neighbours, nor there will be solace to the suffering of the Lebanese people while the Arab-Israeli conflict, the issue of Palestinian refugees, and doubts regarding the Iranian nuclear program persist.”
“I am convinced that peace is within our reach. It is with this trust in dialogue that I will head to Tehran in May,” said Lula. The Brazilian government wants to have a stronger input in negotiations regarding conflicts in the Middle East.
Sleiman added that the two countries should work together at the Security council to promote the understanding and negotiated solutions to international conflicts.
He declared that his country still needs support from Brazil and the international community in order to address persisting challenges, such as fear of new Israeli attacks, the retrieval of Lebanese territories that remain occupied by Israel, and terrorism.
Sleiman stated that the UN should play a “more effective” role in the negotiation of conflicts, called for changes in the Security Council, so that it may have greater weight, and praised the struggle of Brazil for a permanent seat at the organization.
The president of the Arab country also said that the Lebanese who migrated to Brazil and their descendents “strengthen and complement” the connection between the two countries, and create perspectives of future partnerships in different sectors. Lebanese immigration to Brazil is celebrating its 130th anniversary, and Lula called attention to the fact that the descendents stand out in Brazil as politicians, doctors, architects, engineers, artists, and scientists. Miguel Jorge quipped that the future Brazil-Lebanon business Council is going to be comprised of Lebanese members on both sides, given the size of the Lebanese community living in Brazil.
Several representatives of the community of Arab origin attended luncheon, including Jorge himself and the president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Salim Taufic Schahin. Sleiman’s visit continues tomorrow in the city of São Paulo.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
