UK Looking Forward to Serious Business when Brazil’s Lula Visits London

The United Kingdom wants to deepen political and economic relations with Brazil, after the state visit of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who will arrive in London next Monday, March 6.

During a press conference, Thursday, March 2, the British Ambassador in Brazil, Peter Colecott, affirmed that this visit represents to his country an opportunity to have with Brazil a "more complete and deep relationship," which, he added, "will be necessary in the future."

Colecott recalled that Lula was invited during the G8 meeting (the seven wealthiest nations plus Russia), last July, in Gleneagles, Scotland.

In his opinion, this invitation represents the acknowledgment of Brazil as a "key emerging power," and it also recognizes President Lula as a "great world personality, a leader". The ambassador summarized: "This visit is very special to us".

The UK hosts two or three state visits per year. Different from a work visit, a state visit generally follows a series of rituals, such as military parades, and trips to the headquarters of the three branches of power.

In the past, only two Brazilian Presidents made state visits to the UK: Ernesto Geisel, in 1976, and Fernando Henrique Cardoso, in 1997.

The British Ambassador pointed out, however, that the present moment is "very different." He affirmed, "Brazil is now more stable, more developed."

And, as examples, he mentioned Brazil’s role in South America, its relations with African countries, and, especially, with other emerging countries, such as China, India, and South Africa.

Colecott added that because of Brazilian relations in the whole world, the country "is more important to our interests now, and will be even more in the future."

Agência Brasil