BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

23/03/2010

Brazil, Belarus to Forge Closer Ties

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and visiting Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko made a commitment to strengthen bilateral relations.

The two leaders stressed "the importance of giving a greater institutional base to the bilateral relationship" in a joint statement issued after their talks in Rio de Janeiro.

"The two presidents agreed on the need for expanding and diversifying trade and bilateral investment, as well as for cooperation in the industrial area, and committed themselves to encouraging the exchange of business missions" such as those that occurred recently, the text said.

Both agreed to open their respective embassies in Brasilia and Minsk and to expand trade relations with the signing of accords in different fields of cooperation including agriculture, technology, education, sports, tourism and culture.

Trade between Brazil and Belarus in 2008 reached a record sum of $1.3 billion, according to official Brazilian figures.

Lukashenko also said he will take part in the 3rd Alliance of Civilizations Forum to be held this May in Rio de Janeiro.

The joint declaration following the first visit by a Belarusian head of state to Brazil expressed both governments' backing for expanding political dialogue under "democratic principles" in the framework of the Alliance of Civilizations, a U.N.-sponsored initiative launched by Spain and Turkey.

The stimulation of biofuel production and the need to reform the U.N. Security Council were other points dealt with in the joint declaration, with Belarus supporting Brazil's bid for a permanent seat on the council. EFE

Source:

http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=354203&CategoryId=14090


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