Nigeria’s President, Olosegum Obasanjo, asked for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s support for a Brazil/South America-Africa Summit, with chiefs of state of the two continents, to happen probably in the beginning of 2006.
The request was made during meeting of both countries presidents and ministers, in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, this Monday, April 11.
In his speech, Lula mentioned that, for a long time, Brazil and other South American countries focused on the European Union and the United States. The same happened with Africa.
“It is time we look at ourselves and understand we have much to do together.” Lula affirmed that trading, cultural and political relations between the two continents may become “infinitely” greater.
President Lula recalled that the 20th century ended with a billion people living below poverty line, due to unequal wealth distribution in the planet.
“If the 19th century was Europe’s century, and the 20th century was US’, why can’t the 21st century be ours? It only depends on us. We need to believe it,” he added.
Lula invited Nigerian president to visit Brazil during the independence day celebration, September the 7th, when he intends to give a formal answer about the summit of South American-African countries.
Today Lula will meet the Executive Secretary of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), Mohamed Ibn Chambas. He will also participate on a roundtable of bilateral conversations, as well as on a ceremony to sign joint programs.
Agência Brasil