Press Statement of Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo on the Official Visit of Brazil Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira

23 August 2024

Good afternoon

Today I am pleased to host Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and his delegation to the Philippines. Welcome, Minister Vieira, and I hope you will be able to enjoy the warmth of Filipino hospitality and capture the rich and vibrant heritage of our country in your short visit.

This is the first visit by a Brazilian Foreign Minister to the Philippines, and we welcome his visit as an opportunity for our countries to further strengthen our technical cooperation, agricultural cooperation and engagements in the fields of education, trade and science and technology.

We have just finished a comprehensive discussion on a number of topics that are of common concern to the Philippines and Brazil, and signed the agreement in Educational Cooperation, which we envision will steer the bilateral cooperation agenda towards the achievement of shared development goals.

We discussed a wide range of regional and bilateral issues, and have reiterated to each other our shared commitment to multilateral cooperation, international law, and a rules based international order. We look forward to coordinating and working with each other in addressing shared interests and/or common concerns relating to international peace and security, economic development, climate change, energy transition, and science and technology.

Minister Vieira’s visit is a clear demonstration of Brazil’s commitment to deepen its engagement with Asia, particularly ASEAN and the Philippines. It is a partnership that transcends distance and language barrier and one that is rooted in our mutual desire to improve our peoples’ well-being and prosperity. We are confident that his visit will usher in a new era of more meaningful engagement and collaboration between our countries. Likewise, the Philippines renews its commitment to forging stronger relations with Latin America.

May I now request Minister Vieira to say a few words. 

Thank you.

END