While most people are preparing for New Year’s Eve, Federal President Steinmeier sets off for Brazil. A new head of state will take office there.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier promised German support to the new Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva before his inauguration.
“My visit is intended to provide an impetus for restarting bilateral relations between our two countries,” said Steinmeier in Berlin before leaving for Brazil. The visit should also give an impetus “for our common goal of protecting the Amazon rainforest, the green lung of our world, from deforestation”.
Steinmeier appealed to the world community: “It’s not just Brazil that is challenged, we all have a responsibility to protect the climate and our environment and to preserve biodiversity on our planet.”
Steinmeier takes part in the inauguration
Steinmeier will attend Lula’s inauguration this Sunday in the capital Brasília. He wants to send a signal that Germany sees Brazil as an important strategic partner – both politically and economically. Bilateral relations had suffered during the four years in office of right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, who was voted out at the end of October.
Strengthening ties to Brazil and other Latin American countries is also part of Germany’s efforts to position itself more broadly internationally after Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Old alliances should be reactivated and new ones made.
On the fringes of the inauguration, Steinmeier also wants to hold bilateral talks, including a meeting with Chilean President Gabriel Boric (36). A year ago, the former student leader was elected the youngest head of state in his country’s history.
protection of the rainforest
Steinmeier said before departure that he was happy to personally congratulate Lula on his inauguration. “We will exchange views on his goals for the presidency and on bilateral issues. Germany is ready to give the new president the best possible support in his ambitious plans to protect the rainforest.”
During Bolsonaro’s tenure, deforestation had increased significantly. The federal government had therefore put the German contribution to the “Amazonia Fund” for forest and climate protection of 55 million euros on hold. Immediately after Lula’s election victory, she announced that the funds would be released again.
The rainforest is of enormous importance for the global climate. The Federal President will be accompanied on his trip by Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens). Both will visit the ATTO research station in the rainforest and the monitoring center for deforestation in Manaus this Monday. The station is operated jointly by German and Brazilian scientists. They get to the bottom of the complicated interactions between the rainforest and the climate.
Steinmeier comes to a country that is in three days of national mourning after the death of football legend Pelé. Before leaving, he expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Brazilian people. “Pelé has inspired millions of people, not only in the football world, and has won the World Cup three times with the national team. Brazil bids farewell to a great son of the country.”
Source: Stern
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