São Paulo – The Itamaraty informed on Wednesday – (27) that president Dilma Rousseff sent messages to congratulate the president-elect of Egypt, Mohamed Morsi. The Egyptian runoff election took place on the 16th and 17th and Morsi’s victory was announced last Sunday (24).
According to the Itamaraty, Rousseff pointed out "the historic moment lived by Egypt as an important restart for the country”. For the first time in 60 years of the Egyptian Republic a civilian president has been elected, and by direct vote. Morsi is a member of the Freedom and Justice Party, the electoral branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, a political and religious organisation established in 1928.
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry added that “Brazil and Egypt are two great developing countries and have excellent relations with promising perspectives for the future.”
Egypt was the third main destination for Brazilian exports in the Arab world from January to May, losing only to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The shipments generated US$ 809 million, growth of 8.7% over the same period last year. The country in North Africa has a free trade agreement with the Mercosur.
“The government of Brazil stresses its disposition to expand the scope of the partnership between both nations and their people in scenery of peace and prosperity,” finished off the ministry press statement.
*Translated by Mark Ament
