PH, Brazil sign deals on education, technical cooperation

MANILA: The governments of the Philippines and Brazil on Friday signed two deals to boost their exchanges on education and technical cooperation.

Visiting Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo signed the agreements during a ceremony after capping a bilateral meeting at the Diamond Hotel, where they agreed to further deepen the Philippine-Brazil cooperation in other areas.

Manalo expressed optimism the new agreements would steer the two states’ bilateral cooperation agenda toward the “achievement of shared development goals’.

‘This is the first visit by a Brazilian Foreign Minister to the Philippines, and we welcome Minister Vieira’s 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,’ Manalo said.

The deal on technical cooperation will cover projects in yet identified areas of common interest while the agreement on edu
cation will focus on improving linkages between tertiary institutions, especially on the exchange of students and experts.

Brazil wants to promote the Portuguese language and Brazilian literature and culture in the Philippines through the creation of a Brazilian lectureship program in Manila ‘in the near future’, Vieira said.

‘I am enthusiastic about the good prospects for increasing dialogue and cooperation between Brazil and the Philippines in many areas. I would like to invite all stakeholders in both countries to join us in building a stronger bilateral partnership,’ he said.

The DFA said the two states are also set to sign an agreement later on Friday on cooperation in the peaceful use of space between the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Brazilian Space Agency.

New chapter of relations

Meanwhile, the two top diplomats said the two countries entered a new chapter in their bilateral relations.

Both recognized the partnership is “one of the most enduring relationships between a Southeast Asia
n and a Latin American nation”.

During the meeting, the two officials discussed ways to develop cooperation on agriculture, maritime affairs, renewable energy, sustainable biofuels, defense, and science, technology, and innovation, among others.

They underscored Brazil and the Philippines’ common interests in combating hunger and poverty, facing the climate crisis, promoting energy transition, and ensuring food and nutritional security, among others.

On regional issues, the two ministers reiterated their commitment to international law and a rules-based order.

‘Minister Vieira’s visit is a clear demonstration of Brazil’s commitment to deepen its engagement with Asia, especially 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,’ Manalo said.

Vieira also invited Manalo to visit Brazil as he proposed more high-level exchanges, including a presidential visit by President F
erdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Source: Philippines News Agency