Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, met yesterday, July 3, with his counterpart from the United Kingdom, Margaret Beckett, to discuss items of mutual interest to the two countries, such as the environment, the United Nations (UN), and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
According to Amorim, the visit demonstrates the high level of interest that exists between the two countries. This is Beckett’s first trip to Brazil since being appointed foreign minister in May, 2005.
Among the items they discussed, Amorim underscored the conversation on the environment. He said that there is considerable interest in cooperating in the area of biodiesel fuel and climate change.
"We have an interest in the area of environment and an interest in cooperating in the area of biodiesel and the area of climate change," he affirmed.
Regarding the Doha Round in the WTO, Amorim said that the meeting did not produce concrete results but revealed that "there is some degree of flexibility on the part of the European Union."
Regarding UN Security Council reform, the British minister recognized the need for a reformulation of the council and said that it should reflect the current international scene.
"Brazil and other countries deserve a place on the council. And Brazil has appeared as a powerful actor on the international stage," she commented.
ABr