Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reaffirmed support for the Palestinian people and condemned the effects of war after meeting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday, Nov. 14. (Foto: Instagram)
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reaffirmed his support for the Palestinian people and condemned the effects of war after meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday, Nov. 14. Lula also pointed to the impact of the war involving Iran on the Philippines.
“We reject the senselessness of wars and denounce their effects on human lives and global supply chains,” Lula said. He described the Philippines as among the countries most affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, adding that several Filipinos had been affected. He also said Brazil maintained a firm position in support of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
Lula said Brazil and the Philippines shared colonial histories, cultural ties and development goals. Although they are on opposite sides of the world, he said, both countries face the challenge of combining economic growth with social inclusion and environmental protection.
He also cited social programs in both countries, including Brazil’s Bolsa Família and the Philippines’ Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, known as 4Ps. Lula said such public policies were essential to reducing inequality and creating opportunities. The 4Ps is the Southeast Asian country’s main cash-transfer program.
The two governments signed cooperation agreements on agriculture and livestock, and on competition policy. The second agreement was between Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).
Lula was in the Philippines to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. It was the first state visit to the country by a Brazilian president. Lula called the Philippines Brazil’s oldest partner in Southeast Asia and said the trip aimed to expand diplomatic and trade ties with countries in the region. The visit came days after the Philippine Department of Agriculture announced a 60-day suspension of imports of Brazilian pork.
