Posted on 2/1/2023 3:55 AM / Updated on 2/1/2023 12:33 PM
Argentine President Alberto Fernández greets Lula on the Planalto, watched by the First Lady (Photo credit: Photographer/Agência Brasil)
Tight security, bilateral meetings and a reception in Itamaraty marked Brazil’s reopening to the world. The inauguration of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was attended by 18 heads of state and 54 international delegations, alongside former Uruguayan President José Pepe Mujica and Bolivian Evo Morales. Among the leaders were Presidents Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (Portugal), Alberto Fernández (Argentina), José Ramos Horta (East Timor), FrankWalter Steinmeier (Germany), Gustavo Petro (Colombia), Guillermo Lasso (Ecuador), Luis Arce ( Bolivia), Gabriel Boric (Chile), Mario Abdo Benítez (Paraguay) and Luis Lacalle Pou (Uruguay). Spain was represented by King Felipe VI and Cuba by Vice President Salvador Valdes Mesa.
Venezuelan Nicolás Maduro did not come to Brasilia and sent the President of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez. At the end of the ceremony at the National Congress, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa earned a tribute from Rodrigo Pacheco. The President of the Senate recalled that he “represents motherland Portugal”. “We are very honored,” he commented. Speaking to journalists, the Portuguese praised Brazil’s new foreign policy and revealed what he intends to discuss at the meeting with Lula scheduled for 12pm today. “Let’s talk about his trip to Lisbon, which was supposed to take place in the first semester; relations at chancellor level; economic, political, social and financial relationships. President Lula has defined Brazil’s role in the world very well. Multilateralism is fundamental,” said Sousa. On Saturday, the Lusitano was photographed swimming in Lake Paranoá.
As the ceremony continued, French President Emmanuel Macron posted a photo on Twitter of himself and Lula shaking hands. “Order and progress: Brazil lives up to its motto. Congratulations, dear President, dear friend Lula, on your inauguration. We are together!” The US was represented by a presidential delegation led by Home Secretary Deb Haaland.
In his speech to Congress, Lula signaled Brazil’s return to international protagonism and announced the resumption of South American integration based on Mercosur and the revival of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur). “We will be able to rebuild the proud and active dialogue with the US, the European community, China, the countries of the East and other global actors, strengthen the BRICS, work with the countries of Africa and break isolation. ‘ In Planalto, speaking to the people, the President warned that ‘it is time to break isolation and return to relations with all the countries of the world’.
Over the phone, Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Juan Carlos Holguín, told the Courier that relations between Quito and Brasilia have a very positive history. “Our government has expressed to Brazil the desire to always strengthen bilateral relations, with the protection of the Amazon, cooperation on security and a seat on the UN Security Council,” said the Chancellor, who accompanied President Guillermo Lasso. According to him, Lasso welcomed Lula and expressed the idea of deepening relations. Both meet today at 11 a.m. “We are optimistic that democracy in Latin America will always be defended and strengthened,” said Holguín.
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Argentine President Alberto Fernández greets Lula at the Planalto, observed by First Lady Photographer/Agência Brasil
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Guillermo Lasso (L), President of Ecuador, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Juan Carlos Holguín: Value for Democracy Bolívar Parra/Presidency of Ecuador
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Riyad Al Maliki, Chancellor of Palestine, with King Felipe VI. of Spain on the Plateau by Ibrahim Alzeben
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On Saturday, Portuguese Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa swam in Lake Paranoá, escorted by firefighters from the Federal District Military Fire Service (CBMDF).
Lula was welcomed by the delegations in the East Hall of the Planalto Palace. At 9 p.m., he offered guests a reception at Itamaraty with a menu signed by chefs from different regions. The menu features feijoada dumplings, chestnut cones with licuri farofa, tapioca churros with vatapá, and sea bass moqueca with Brazil nut farofa.
Palestinians
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al Maliki was received by Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira at the Banco do Brasil (CCBB) Cultural Center on Saturday. Ibrahim Alzeben, the Palestinian ambassador, told the Correio that the head of the Itamaraty had promised to maintain relations with Palestine at the same status quo as in Lula’s two previous governments. For his part, Al Maliki called on the new government to upgrade Brazil’s diplomatic mission in Ramallah (West Bank) to the level of an embassy.
reparations with the Palestinians
Photo credit: Ibrahim Alzeben
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al Maliki was received by the new Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira at the Banco do Brasil (CCBB) Cultural Center on Saturday. Ibrahim Alzeben, the Palestinian ambassador, told Correio that the head of the Itamaraty had promised to keep relations with Palestino in the same status quo as the two governments of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. For his part, Al Maliki called on the Lula government to upgrade Brazil’s diplomatic mission in Ramallah (West Bank) to the level of an embassy. Palestine’s diplomatic chief also briefed Vieira on the “terrible situation” of its people since Benjamin Netanyahu took office on Friday.