Today President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is in Paris for commemorations of Brazil Year in France and France’s national holiday, Bastille Day.
This morning the President will open a seminar, Brazil: Global Player, at the Sorbonne University. Following that, he will meet with Brazilian and French businessmen.
And finally, he will participate in the closing ceremonies of the Civil Society Forum, which has brought together NGOs from Brazil and France for discussions on family farming, housing, solidarity economics and financing development.
In the evening, Lula will meet with the mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe, a socialist. And, finally, the President will attend the City Dance at the Bastille Plaza.
A number of Brazilian performers will be present, including Gilberto Gil, Brazil’s Minister of Culture, and Daniela Mercury.
On Thursday, July 14, Bastille Day, Lula has been invited to the Champs Elysées parade. Later he will meet separately with President Jacques Chirac, and mayors from French cities.
Lula will also visit the Brazil Year exposition, which presents a diverse demonstration of what Brazil is through exhibits and shows.
On his last day in France, Friday, July 15, Lula will have breakfast with prime minister Villepin, followed by a working meeting with president Chirac, which wil include the signing of various agreements.
Then Lula will visit the Air Museum, where he will see a replica of the 14 Bis aircraft that Santos Dumont flew in the first ever public demonstration of flight on October 23, 1906, in Paris.
ABr – www.radiobras.gov.br