Argentine President Alberto Fernández will attend the inauguration of Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on January 1, 2023, the Telam news agency reported today.
According to this media outlet, the return of the Labor Party leader to the Planalto Palace is of great significance for strengthening bilateral ties and regional integration.
Fernández is expected to travel accompanied by Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero and other officials, and will be received by that country’s Ambassador to Brazil, Daniel Scioli.
Lula’s inauguration marks the start of Argentina’s presidential agenda in the first month of the year, which will also include the Summit of Heads of State or Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac).
Re-enter Celac
Scheduled for January 24 in Buenos Aires, the meeting will mark Brazil’s return to the bloc from which it was withdrawn by far-right Jair Bolsonaro.
The arrival of Lula in the Brazilian government not only gives Celac a new impetus, but also allows the renewal of the Southern Common Market, of which Argentina will hold the pro-tempore presidency in the first half of 2023.
On October 31st Fernández visited Lula after his election victory and on January 24th he will make his first trip to Argentina after taking office.
According to Télam, State Department sources pointed to the possible appointment of a key political leader as Brazil’s ambassador to that country, and among the cherished names is that of former President Dilma Rousseff.