São Paulo – Over the past ten years, Brazil and the Arab world have undergone a process of mutual rediscovery, according to diplomats’ assessments. Their relations are rooted in history, dating back to the 19th century, as migratory flows from the Middle East to the Americas began, and were followed by strong trade flows throughout the 1970s and 1980s, but for a long time, these ties ceased to be a priority in the foreign trade agendas of the two regions.
Starting in 2003, however, the Brazilian government decided to ascribe top priority to its diplomatic ties with Africa and the Middle East. In that year, the then-president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva paid the first visit by a Brazilian head of state to the Arab world since the Brazilian emperor D. Pedro II, and launched the idea for the Summit of South America-Arab Countries (Aspa).
“I believe the turning point in our relations was the Aspa initiative, which originated in Brazil,” said Cesário Melantonio Neto, Brazil’s special envoy to the Middle East, and the former Brazilian ambassador to Cairo.
One of the incentives for Brazil to take action was a survey conducted by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce which pointed out the potential for trade with the Arab countries. The first Aspa Summit was held in 2005 in Brasília, the second one took place in Doha, Qatar, in 2009, and the third one occurred in Lima, Peru, last year. All were covered extensively by ANBA.
To the Brazilian ambassador to Baghdad, Anuar Nahes, the Aspa summit has fulfilled its goal by “preventing triangulations in contacts with the Arab world,” i.e. it has established a direct connection. “There used to be a leftover from the colony days whence this contact was always made by third parties,” said Nahes, formerly the head of the Brazilian embassy in Doha, the Aspa follow-up coordinator, and head of the Middle East Department at the Brazilian Ministry of External Relations.
Throughout this process, several bilateral initiatives have thrived: ministerial meetings, cooperation agreements, heads of state visits, business missions, joint actions at international forums, support from one party to another’s causes, and the establishment of new embassies. The Mercosur entered into free-trade agreements with Egypt and Palestine.
The dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Brazil and Palestinian ambassador Ibrahim Alzeben highlights the establishment of four new Arab diplomatic offices in Brasília: Qatar, Oman, Mauritania and Sudan. At this time, there are 18 Arab embassies, and another two may open soon. It is worth noting that there are 22 Arab countries in the world.
“This (amount of diplomatic offices) is unprecedented, bar the superpowers, i.e. the five permanent UN Security Council member countries,” said Alzeben.
Over that same period, Brazil has set up embassies in Oman, Mauritania, Sudan and Qatar, in addition to having reopened its representations in Libya and Iraq; it has also gained observer status at the League of Arab States.
Nahes explains that there is one particular aspect that appeals to the Arabs, namely the fact that Brazil is interested in cooperating with other countries without having to profit from it, and even more important, in an arrogance-free manner. “There is an actual two-way flow in place. Brazil is very highly regarded,” he said.
Alzeben also noted that Brazil is a traditional supporter of Arab causes, especially Palestine’s independence. “Brazil’s position is very clear, and the Arab world recognizes that,” he said.
Another proof of the closer ties was the new direct and daily flights from the Arab world to Brazil, first by Emirates Airline, in Dubai, then Qatar Airways, in Qatar, and finally by Etihad Airways, in Abu Dhabi. Before the end of 2013, Royal Air Maroc will launch yet another route.
Moment
But from now on, how will Brazil’s dialogue with the Middle East and North Africa evolve? Economic and political change has influenced international relations in the past few years, including the European debt crises, the Arab Spring, and civil conflict in Syria.
“Relations between Brazil and the Arabs are suffering a bit due to political unrest in the region. Strengths are rebalancing and we are yet to see what will happen,” Nahes said. “The most important thing, however, is for the door to this rediscovery to remain open,” he added.
To Alzeben, it is only natural that governments will set different priorities at times, but that doesn’t mean mutual interest has faded. “We still have a lot to offer and a lot to receive,” he added.
Melantonio goes a step further and claims that in the midst of crises, opportunities arise. He believes economic uncertainty makes Arab countries into even more important partners to Brazil, and the vast number of Brazilians of Arab descent makes Brazil’s influence in Arab questions “almost automatic.” “I don’t think [relations] have cooled down; on the contrary, they have warmed up,” he said.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
