German-Brazilian government meeting imminent
For the first time in more than eight years, the political leaders of Germany and Brazil will meet again this Monday for intergovernmental consultations in Berlin. In the morning, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will receive Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva with military honors at his official residence Schloss Bellevue in Berlin.
Later, Lula will be welcomed to the Bundesrat by its President Manuela Schwesig (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, SPD). In the afternoon, the actual government consultations will take place in the Chancellery, chaired by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Lula.
Deputy government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann said in Berlin that the talks would be held under the motto "Germany and Brazil - strong partners for progress and sustainability". The talks will focus on bilateral economic and financial policy issues, green transformation and the topics of energy, climate, environmental development, food and also foreign and defense policy.
Possible tensions
The meeting is also important for the German government because Brazil took over the chairmanship of the G20 round of leading economic powers on December 1. The different views on the Gaza war are also likely to play a role in Scholz's meeting with Lula.
While Germany is in favor of humanitarian ceasefires between Israel and the Islamist Hamas, Brazil recently called for an immediate and lasting humanitarian ceasefire within the framework of the Brics group of important emerging economies. In addition to Brazil, the Brics group includes Russia, India, China and South Africa.
The cabinets of the two countries met for the first time in Brasília in 2015 in order to broaden their relations. However, under right-wing populist President Jair Bolsonaro, the consultations were put on ice for years. Following Lula's return to the Brazilian presidency, the idea was revived.
The German Chamber of Industry and Commerce has issued invitations to a German-Brazilian business forum later on Monday afternoon, at which Scholz and Lula are also expected to be present.
During the intergovernmental consultations, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will welcome Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, marking the first meeting between the two leaders since Lula's return to the Brazilian presidency. The Federal Government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Lula's administration will discuss various topics, including bilateral economic and financial policy issues, green transformation, and foreign and defense policy.
Source: www.dpa.com
