Brasília – US president, Barack Obama, called this Tuesday (28th) his Brazilian colleague, Dilma Rousseff, congratulating her on the re-election. On the call, Obama said the poll showed “Brazilian democratic strength” and that he intends to continue working with the Brazilian leader, whom he expects to meet while at the G-20 Australia summit, on November 15th and 16th. The information was released by the press office of the Brazilian Presidency. The phone call lasted ten minutes.
Obama said he values the bilateral relationship with Brazil and sees great opportunities for cooperation in financial and economic and energy areas. The US president suggested staff from both countries should “work on the existing mechanisms to define 2015 agenda as to set the stage for a state visit by the Brazilian president to the United States at an appropriate time."
Last year, Rousseff cancelled a state visit to the United States after former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden released information on the National Security Agency (NSA) intercepting communications from Brazilian government, including Rousseff’s own messages and communication from state-owned companies. Obama noted his vice president, Joe Biden had very positive impressions on the meeting he had with president Rousseff during Biden’s visit to Brazil during the world Cup.
According to the press office, Rousseff thanked the compliments and said the poll was very important for Brazil and for the region. She stressed she is very keen on strengthening relations with the United States and she will be pleased to meet president Obama at the G20 summit. Rousseff also agreed on the importance of bilateral efforts to prepare a state visit to the USA.
Besides Obama, Rousseff also received a phone call from Guinea-Bissau’s president, José Mário Vaz, who also wanted to congratulate her on the re-election and wished her success on the new term. Rousseff, during a five-minute talk, thanked and said her second term will keep the high priority on ties with Africa. She added she will maintain the support on the democracy consolidation and economic and social development in Guinea-Bissau.
*Translated by Rodrigo Mendonça
