Brazil–France relations

Brazil–France relations

Brazil
France
Former French president, Jacques Chirac greets the former president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and wife Marisa during a ceremony at the Palácio da Alvorada in Brasília.

Brazil–France relations refers to bilateral relations between Brazil and France. Brazil has an embassy in Paris, whilst France has an embassy in Brasília.

The two countries are committed to strengthening their bilateral cooperation in the areas for which working groups have been created: nuclear energy, renewable energies, defence technologies, technological innovation, joint cooperation in African countries and space technologies, medicines and the environment.[1]

Brazil and France entered a formal strategic alliance in 2008.[2][3] France supports Brazil's ambition to become a global player on the international scene,[4] and has been a strong supporter of the Brazilian bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.[1] Through significant technology transfers, France intends to help Brazil acquire key technologies of a major world power in the military, space, energy and technology sectors.[4]

According to a 2013 BBC World Service Poll, 54% of French people view Brazil's influence positively, with 32% expressing a negative view, while 50% of Brazilians view France's influence positively, with 19% expressing a negative view.[5]

History

Timeline of bilateral relations
1825 France is the first European country to recognize the independence of Brazil.[6]
1959 Inauguration of the House of Brazil (Casa do Brasil) at the University of Paris.[6]
2003 France invites Brazil to participate at the G8 Summit in Evian.[6]
2004 Creation of the Action Against Hunger and Poverty by initiative of Presidents Lula and Chirac;
Creation of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti.[6]
2005 Year of Brazil in France.[6]
2008 Brazil and France enter a strategic alliance.[2]
2009 Year of France in Brazil.[7]

Economic relations

Brazil is France's leading trade partner in Latin America and its fourth most important partner outside OECD. Over 500 French companies are established directly in Brazil and employ over 250,000 people.[8] Total trade between the two countries surpassed $6.5 billion dollars in 2009.[6]

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
France French exports to Brazil $1.8 billion $2.3 billion $2.7 billion $2.8 billion $3.5 billion $4.7 billion $3.6 billion
Brazil Brazilian exports to France $1.7 billion $2.2 billion $2.5 billion $2.7 billion $3.5 billion $4.1 billion $2.9 billion
Total trade $3.5 billion $4.5 billion $5.2 billion $5.5 billion $7 billion $8.8 billion $6.5 billion
Note: All values are in U.S. dollars. Source:.[6]

Cultural relations

Brazil is France's leading partner in Latin America for cultural, scientific, and technical cooperation. Three French secondary schools (Brasília, Rio, and São Paulo) have a total of 2,150 students; 1,000 of whom are French. The Alliances françaises in Brazil constitute the oldest and most extensive in the world (74 establishments in 52 cities).[9] Brazil, through its past and present connections to France, is eligible for membership with the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. Both countries also share the distinction of being the largest Roman Catholic-majority countries by population on their respective continents.

Cross-border cooperation

The Oyapock River Bridge

Brazil and France share a 673 km border between the state of Amapá and the overseas department of French Guiana.[10] The cross-border cooperation between the two countries has enjoyed increased vitality. This cooperation makes it possible to better integrate French Guyana into its geographical environment, to respond to the concerns of both parties about the various cross-border risks, to encourage human exchanges and trade and to develop the economy of the Amazon region, respecting the local populations and extraordinary environment. The granting to France, on the initiative of Brazil, of observer status within the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, will strengthen this cooperation. The construction of the Oyapock River Bridge over the Oyapock River, decided during President Lula’s visit to France, will make the Cayenne-Macapá road link possible.[11] The bridge is scheduled to be completed in 2010. In May 2012 Brazil sent troops to guard its border with French Guiana.[12]

Military cooperation

Defence cooperation has undergone major developments in recent years. On July 15, 2005, Brazil and France signed several military cooperation agreements in areas such as aviation and advanced military technologies.[13][14] On 2008, the two countries entered a Status of Forces Agreement.[15] On 23 December 2008, Brazil and France established a formal strategic alliance.[2]

Brazil and France signed a major defense pact on December 24, 2008.[16] At the occasion, the Brazilian government purchased 50 EC-725 Super Cougar helicopters, a nuclear submarine, and four Scorpène class submarine from the French government worth an estimated $12 billion. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and French President Nicolas Sarkozy signed an accord approving the sale in Rio de Janeiro.[17] All these contracts come with significant technology transfer and offer considerable participation prospects for the Brazilian industry.[18] The helicopters will be built locally by the Brazilian firm Helibras in partnership with Eurocopter. The four conventional Scorpènes will also be built locally, in a new shipyard being built by Odebrecht and DCNS in Itaguaí, state of Rio de Janeiro.

On September 2009, the two countries announced a joint venture between Agrale and Renault Trucks to produce military transport vehicles.[19]

Lobster War

When the Brazilian navy moved to intercept French lobster fisherman off the coast of the state of Pernambuco, the French Navy deployed vessels in response.

Scientific cooperation

France is Brazil’s second-leading scientific partner, after the United States. Brazil is France’s leading scientific partner in Latin America.[20] The two countries cooperate in the areas of climate change, sustainable development, biodiversity, technological innovation and the genome.[20]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "France and Brazil - Political relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
  2. 1 2 3 "Parceria Estratégica". Ministry of External Relations. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
  3. ↑ "Branching Out in Alliances as Emerging Global Actor". Inter Press Service. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
  4. 1 2 Political relations, French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. Retrieved on 2010-11-29.
  5. ↑ Views of China and India Slide While UK's Ratings Climb BBC World Service
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Relações Bilaterais Brasil-França Ministério das Relações Exteriores. Retrieved on 2010-11-28. (Portuguese).
  7. ↑ 2009: Ano da França no Brasil Ministério da Cultura. Retrieved on 2010-11-28. (Portuguese).
  8. ↑ "Brazilian, French presidents hold telephone talks on strengthening alliance". People's Daily Online. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
  9. ↑ "France and Brazil - Cultural, scientific and technical cooperation". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
  10. ↑ "CIA - The World Factbook: France - Geography". CIA. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
  11. ↑ "France and Brazil - Other types of cooperation". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
  12. ↑ Brazil Sending More Troops to Guard Amazon Borders May 3, 2012
  13. ↑ "Acordo de Cooperação em Tecnologias Avançadas". Ministry of External Relations. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
  14. ↑ "Acordo para Cooperação na Área da Aeronáutica Militar". Ministry of External Relations. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
  15. ↑ "Acordo Brasil-França: SOFA". Ministry of External Relations. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
  16. ↑ Brazil, France sign major defense pact Reuters UK. Retrieved on December 25, 2008.
  17. ↑ Barrionuevo, Alexei (2008-12-24). "Brazil Signs Arms Deal With France". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-12-24.
  18. ↑ "President Lula’s international ambitions and the Franco-Brazilian strategic partnership". Diploweb. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
  19. ↑ "Visita ao Brasil do Presidente da França, Nicolas Sarkozy - Brasília, 6 e 7 de setembro de 2009 - Declaração Conjunta". Ministry of External Relations. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
  20. 1 2 Cultural, scientific and technical cooperation French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. Retrieved on 2010-11-29.

External links

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