São Paulo – A series of agreements were signed between Brazil and the United Arab Emirates this Saturday (13) at a meeting between the president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, and the vice president and prime minister of the UAE, emir of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Bolsonaro was welcomed by Maktoum at the Expo 2020 Dubai universal exhibition on his first appointment in the UAE, where he arrived Saturday morning.
According to information released by the official news agency of the UAE, Emirates News Agency (WAM), memorandums of understanding for cooperation in education, prisoner repatriation, and a draft agreement for international collaboration between the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) and the Alexandre Gusmão Foundation, of Brazil, were signed in the presence of the two leaders. The Brazilian foundation works with research and endeavors in the field of international relations and diplomacy.
The president of Brazil posted videos of the landing with first lady Michelle Bolsonaro and the meeting with Maktoum at the universal exhibition on his social networks. The UAE is the first Arab country in the Gulf to be visited by the Brazilian president on his official mission, which also includes meetings in Bahrain on Tuesday (16) and Qatar on Wednesday (17). In the UAE, Bolsonaro could be received by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
According to WAM, Maktoum praised Brazil’s development effort in various sectors and spoke of the UAE’s willingness to cooperate with Brazil in trade, agriculture, energy, and other vital industries. Bolsonaro also expressed Brazil’s desire to strengthen cooperation in trade, economy, research, and culture with the UAE and highlighted the country has emerged as a gateway to trade, supported by its openness, flexibility, and economic diversity.
Bolsonaro gave the Arab leader the Grand Collar of the Brazilian National Order of the Southern Cross. This is a commendation the president of Brazil gives to foreign personalities, created by Emperor Pedro I. The Grand Collar is awarded to heads of state. Maktoum wrote about the honor he received and called Brazil a global economic giant on his social networks. “Our relations are rapidly developing with this global economic giant,” he wrote.
The Brazilian presidential delegation comprises the Ministers of Economy, Paulo Guedes; Foreign Affairs, Carlos França; and other authorities. Bolsonaro’s agenda in the UAE is accompanied by the Brazilian ambassador to the country, Fernando Igreja.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro