Lula receives Canadian Chancellor Mélanie Joly

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva received, this Wednesday (28), the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Mélanie Joly, at the Planalto Palace. The two talked about the environmental, defense and trade and investment agendas between the two countries. According to the Presidency of the Republic, Lula and Joly agreed on the need to organize business missions with the aim of expanding the potential of trade and investment relations between Brazil and Canada. In 2022, trade between Brazil and Canada totaled US$ 10.56 billion, an increase of 40.9% compared to 2021, with a Brazilian surplus of US$ 232.1 million. Among the main products exported to Canada last year were gold; aluminum; sugar; semi-finished products, iron and steel; industrialized products and coffee. Canada’s imports, on the other hand, included fertilizers or chemical fertilizers, around 72% of the total; industrialized products; aircraft and chemicals. In the conversation, the president and the chancellor also addressed the environmental agenda, the Amazon Summit and the commitment defined at the United Nations climate conferences (COP) on contributions by rich countries to environmental preservation in countries with large forests, in addition to the possibility of expansion of Canadian investments in the renewable energy sector in Brazil. “The minister highlighted common characteristics between Brazil and Canada, both major producers of food and energy, with large forests and interested in improving the living conditions of indigenous populations”, informed the Presidency. Lula and Joly also talked about Haiti and the need to unite efforts from different countries in favor of strengthening security and institutions in the Caribbean country. During the meeting, the Minister conveyed to President Lula the invitation, made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for a visit to Canada. The Brazilian president returned the invitation to Trudeau. Mélanie Joly is in the country for the fourth meeting of the Brazil-Canada Strategic Partnership Dialogue, the main cooperation mechanism between the nations. On Tuesday (27), she was at the Itamaraty Palace, in a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, when they signed a broad cooperation agreement in the area of ​​defense. There are still processes of dialogue and bilateral cooperation in education; science, technology and innovation; military affairs and energy and mining.

Agência Brasil