We Are Forming No Axis, Says Brazil

The Brazilian Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, affirmed that the meetings held today among heads of state in the capital of Uruguay represent “a consolidation of the South American spirit.”

In Amorim’s view, the meetings are meant to strengthen regional integration without excluding other countries. “No one wants to form an axis,” he said.


The Minister made this declaration after taking part in an encounter between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the President of Peru, Alejandro Toledo.


President Lula also met with the Presidents of Argentina, Néstor Kirchner, and Venezuela, Hugo Chávez. According to Amorim, the meeting among the three countries will permit “a trilateral collaboration that is not exclusive.”


The Minister also emphasized that Venezuela’s entry as a member of the Mercosur is not intended to weaken the community of Andean countries – a group to which Venezuela belongs.


According to Amorim, the purpose of the integration agreements is for all South American countries to have a single Common External Tariff (CET).


Amorim also disclosed that Lula’s encounter with Kirchner and Chávez dealt with matters concerning the energy sector and the shipbuilding industry. He said that Venezuela needs to build more petroleum vessels and intends to do this in conjunction with Brazilian industries.


As another example of business relations among these countries, the Minister referred to the US$ 200 million loan by Brazil’s National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES) to the Argentinean TGS – Southern Gas Transportation Company – for the construction of a gas pipeline that will carry gas from southern Patagonia to Buenos Aires, in Argentina.


Translation: David Silberstein
Agência Brasil

Tags:

You May Also Like

The Brazilian Shining Success of Six Foot Halo

In addition to their US following, Six Foot Halo has managed to build a ...

Brazil’s MST Calls for an End to Career Politicians

The political and social crisis that Brazil is facing is an opportunity for activists ...

Foreigners Invest US$ 13 Bi in Brazil in 4 Months, a 26% Boost

US$ 12.7 billion entered Brazil in the form of foreign direct investment (FDI) in ...

Brazilian Industry Raises Brazil’s 2006 GDP Growth Estimate to 3.7%

The Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI) raised its estimate for this year’s growth ...

UN Chooses Again a Brazilian General to Head Haiti’s Mission

The secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), Kofi Annan, invited major general José Elito ...

Kyly, Brazil’s Cool Kid Clothes Maker Looking for Hot Countries

The company Malhas Kyly, from the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, specialized in ...

Occupations and Looting Mark 10th Anniversary of Brazil’s Landless Massacre

Brazil’s Landless Movement, MST, marked this week the tenth anniversary of the deaths of ...

In Brazil, Lula Thinks He’s Leading. He’s Being Led.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva claims that his administration governs for all, ...

Here the Humble Brazilian Cachaça Is Served with Sophistication and Class

When you stroll into the annex of Iguatemi shopping in the sunny city of ...

Brazil Opens Center for Brazilian Products in US

Brazil’s Export Promotion Agency (Apex) played an important role in the growth of Brazil’s ...