Agência Senado - Service in English

Egypt´s transition towards democracy may represent a good opportunity for the strengthening of the bilateral relations between that country and Brazil.

The prediction was made by the first class minister Marco Antonio Diniz Brandão, whose nomination for the post of Brazilian ambassador in Cairo was favorably reported out by the Committee on External Relations and National Defense on Wednesday (4).

According to the diplomat, many political parties that intend to run for the first election after the fall of former president Hosni Mubarak have been showing interest in a closer relation with Brazil. The elections in that country are scheduled for November, nine months after Mubarak´s resignation, as a result of a broad regional political movement known as Arab Spring.

"What can be noticed is that everyone wants new relations with Brazil. Virtually, every political party would like to have Brazil as a strong and trustworthy partner. There has been clear interest in our social programs and in the strengthening of our economic bonds," said Brandão, whose nomination had as rapporteur senator Clésio Andrade (PR-MG).

As he commented on the observations made by the diplomat, senator Marcelo Crivella (PRB-RJ) stated that Brazil can be considered as an "extraordinary mediator in the Arab world". He also suggested that the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) extends to Northern Africa the cooperation work it has already been developing along with sub-Saharan countries.

Costa Rica

At the same meeting, the committee favorably reported out the presidential message which nominates the first class minister Maria Dulce Silva Barros as Brazilian ambassador to Costa Rica. The message’s rapporteur was senator Paulo Bauer (PSDB-SC).

In her speech to the senators, Dulce highlighted Costa Rica’s democratic tradition and social stability. She considered as “exemplary” the relation of that country with Brazil and said there is space to increase bilateral cooperation on the environment, which is a priority for both countries.

“They have interest in biofuels,” informed the diplomat.

Senator Luiz Henrique (PMDB-SC) remarked that Costa Rica has a high Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita for regional standards, approximately US$ 11,000, and supplies the Brazilian industry with electronic components made there. In his opinion, that happens due to the “strong educational pillar” of that country.

In the same sense, senator Cristovam Buarque (PDT-DF) said that Brazil needs to find out how a small country like Costa Rica was able to fulfill an “educational revolution” capable of attracting high technology companies.