Calmy-Rey signs agreement with Brazil
Ties between Switzerland and Brazil received a further boost on Thursday as the two agreed to work more closely together in areas of common interest.
Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey, who is visiting Latin America, signed a protocol of understanding to this effect with her Brazilian counterpart Celso Amorim.
The agreement aims to “deepen the poltical dialogue between the two countries,” according to the Swiss Foreign Ministry.
A ministry statement said the areas of common interest include disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation as well as science and research.
The two countries also want to develop their cooperation within the United Nations, over such issues as the promotion of human rights.
Economic relations between Switzerland and Brazil have been strengthened in recent years. Brazil is by far Switzerland’s largest partner in Latin America, despite the fact that there is so far no free trade agreement between them.
In addition to her official meetings, Calmy-Rey had the chance to view the unusual architecture and lay-out of Brazil’s modern capital, Brasilia, which has been a Unesco heritage site since 1987.
Brazil is the second leg of Calmy-Rey’s Latin America tour, in which she also visited Colombia. Her trip ends on Friday.
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