BRAZIL’S Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mauro Viera is set to arrive in Manila tomorrow, marking the first visit to Manila since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries nearly 80 years ago, the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.
The DFA said Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will discuss opportunities to advance the relationship between Brazil and the Philippines.
“Secretary Manalo and Minister Vieira are expected to exchange views on a range of issues including trade and investments, technical cooperation, as well as cooperation in agriculture, defense, education, and in the multilateral arena,” the DFA said in a statement.
“Minister Vieira’s visit signifies the great importance both countries attach to the bilateral relationship,” the DFA added.
Among the agreements set to be signed during the visit are on education, technical cooperation, on peaceful uses of outer space.
The Philippines and Brazil have intensified official engagements through the holding of high-level exchanges, such as the 6th Bilateral Consultation Meeting in 2023.
Early this month, the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) said more Brazilian exporters may be able to sell meat products to the Philippines this year after securing system accreditation from the Philippine government, expanding their access to meet the demand for this commodity.
Defense ties between the two countries are also expanding, with Manila procuring six units of EMB-314 Super Tucano ground attack aircraft for the Philippine Air Force and 28 Iveco Guarani armored personnel carriers for the Philippine Army.
The Philippines and Brazil established diplomatic relations in 1946, shortly after the latter gained independence.
The Philippines opened its embassy in Brazil in 1965, and Brazil also opened its embassy in Manila in 1970.
In 2023, trade between Brazil and the Philippines reached more than $1.5 billion, including $314 million in Brazilian imports.
