«You cannot imagine a rich country surrounded by poor people. Brazil, as the older brother of the South American countries, must have the responsibility of letting the others grow with us,” said Lula in the South American city of Foz do Iguaçu, which owns economist Enio Verri as Brazilian director of the Itaipu Binacional hydroelectric power station.
Along with his Paraguayan counterpart Mario Abdo Benítez, he pointed out that Brazil, which borders all the nations of South America except Chile and Ecuador, “must combine economic growth with the social progress of its partners and have the size to share everything with its neighbors , which is good for the Brazilians».
He referred to the bilateral agreement around Itaipu, the world’s highest energy producing hydroelectric power station between Paraguay and Brazil, on the Paraná River, on the common border in the city of Hernandarias and 14 kilometers north of the Friendship Bridge.
He insisted that the revival of the agreement governing relations between the countries will be mutually satisfactory and will carry weight in developing and maintaining harmonious ties in the region.
“I am sure that we will conclude an agreement that takes into account the reality of the two countries and the respect that Brazil has for its ally, our beloved Paraguay,” he stressed.
He emphasized that the alliance is a civilized agreement and it has proven possible to conclude bi-national agreements so that all parties win.
Regarding Mercosur, a bloc that includes Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay, he called for it to remain closed and thus have more bargaining power.
Lula visited the southern state of Paraná for the first time since taking power on January 1.
On February 26, the ex-union leader appointed then-Federal MP Verri as director general of Itaipu Binacional, replacing Admiral Anatalício Risden Junior.
He also stressed that Itaipu’s role goes beyond power generation, as it can promote growth and reduce inequalities, not only in the region where the company is installed, but throughout Brazil.
«Itaipu has to take into account that it has to contribute to the development of Brazil and Paraguay. It’s not just about selling energy,” he said.
Brazil is Paraguay’s main trading partner and the largest source of foreign direct investment in the neighboring country (904 million).
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