Minister of Foreign Affairs visits Ethiopia, Morocco and Tunisia – March 8 to 11, 2016

Minister Mauro Vieira is received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

The Brazilian Foreign Minister lays a wreath at the tomb of former Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, in Addis Ababa

Minister Mauro Vieira is received by Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn

The Foreign Minister meets the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

Minister Mauro Vieira pronounces speech at the 116th Session of the International Coffee Council
Photos: Press Office/MFA

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mauro Vieira, will visit Ethiopia, Morocco and Tunisia on March 8 to 11. It is the fifth trip of the Minister to the African Continent since he took office, which reflects the importance Brazil attaches to its relations with Africa.

On March 8, in Ethiopia, Minister Mauro Vieira will hold work meeting with his Ethiopian counterpart, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and will be received by Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. The Foreign Minister will also take part in the Brazil-Ethiopia Business Seminar. On the same day, Minister Mauro Vieira will meet the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. On March 9, the Brazilian Foreign Minister will deliver a speech at the 116th Session of the International Coffee Council, which will take place in the Ethiopian Capital.

Brazil-Ethiopia relations are undergoing an important strengthening moment. Brazil opened a resident Embassy in Addis Ababa in 2005. In 2011, Ethiopia inaugurated its representation in Brasilia. In 2013, Ethiopian Airlines started the operation of the flight Addis Ababa-São Paulo, the only direct air connection between Brazil and East Africa.

Ethiopia is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. There is potential for the expansion of bilateral trade and investments in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture and energy. In 2015, trade with Ethiopia was US$ 22 million, with Brazilian surplus of US$ 21,8 million.

The Cooperation agenda includes initiatives in the areas of school feeding and the environment. During the visit, a cooperation project shall be signed, aiming at strengthening water supply and sewage services in Ethiopia.

Minister Mauro Vieira is received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Morocco, Salaheddine Mezzouar

The Foreign Ministers of Brazil and Morocco in a press declaration following a work meeting

Minister Mauro Vieira meets the Minister of Equipment, Transport and Logistics of Morocco, Azziz Rabbah

Minister Mauro Vieira and the President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), Miriem Bensalah-Chaqroun

Meeting of Minister Mauro Vieira and Brazilian businessmen with Minister Azziz Rabbah

Meeting between Minister Mauro Vieira and the Minister of Industry, Trade, Investment and Digital Economy, Moulay Hafid Elalamy
Photo: Press Office/MFA

On March 10, in Morocco, Minister Mauro Vieira will keep a meeting with Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar and will meet the Ministers of Equipment, Transport and Logistics, Mr. Azziz Rabbah, and of Industry, Trade, Investment and Digital Economy of Morocco, Mr. Moulay Hafid Elalamy, with whom he will co-host the opening of the Brazil-Morocco Business Seminar. The Brazilian Foreign Minister will be received by Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane.

Relations with Morocco, a traditional partner of Brazil in Northern Africa, gained momentum from the 2000s, with the rise of trade and investments, the consolidation of the political dialogue and the maintenance of the regular flow of high-level visits. Since 2013, Royal Air Maroc operates regular flights between São Paulo and Casablanca, the only direct connection between Brazil and Northern Africa. In the context of the visit, an Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters shall be signed. Negotiations between the two countries for the signing of a cooperation agreement in the area of defense are also in advanced stages.

In recent years, Brazilian investments in Morocco have also intensified, especially in the cement sector. Moroccan companies have also invested in Brazil, in the fertilizer sector. With views to boost and diversify economic relations between the two countries, advanced negotiations are being held on a cooperation and investment facilitation agreement. In 2015, bilateral trade was US$ 1,2 billion. In 2004, a framework agreement on trade between MERCOSUR and Morocco was concluded.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs is received by the Presidente of Tunisia, Beji Caid Essebsi

Minister Mauro Vieira meets with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, Khemaïes Jhinaoui

Minister Mauro Vieira pays homage to the victms of the terrorist attack at the Bardo National Museum in 2015
Photos: Press Office/MFA

On March 11, in Tunisia, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira will keep a meeting with his counterpart, Mr. Khemaïes Jhinaoui, and will be received by President Beji Çaïd Essebsi and by Prime Minister Habib Essid. The Brazilian Foreign Minister will take part in the Brazil-Tunisia Business Seminar, hold in coordination with the Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA), one of the institutions that compose the "Quartet" of the Tunisian civil society, awarded with the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize. The Minister will also place a flower wreath in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack at the Bardo Museum.

Relations with Tunisia have intensified and diversified, to include growing strand of cooperation. During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding in the areas of Social Development and Citizenship and Tourism will be signed. In the occasion, a cooperation project in the area of eucalyptus cultivation will be signed, the first bilateral technical cooperation initiative between the two countries. Bilateral trade, in 2015, was US$ 360 million. In December 2014, the Framework Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation between MERCOSUR and Tunisia was signed.

More on the bilateral relations Brazil-Ethiopia

More on the bilateral relations Brazil-Morocco

More on the bilateral relations Brazil-Tunisia

Press release 91 – Joint Statement Brazil-Morocco – Rabat, March 10, 2016 [Portuguese]