BRAZIL / AFRICA – Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva received Cape Verdean prime minister Jose Ulisses Correia e Silva as part of the first visit by an African head of state since taking office.
During the meeting, the Brazilian head stressed the importance of partnership with Africa, especially in the fields of education and the environment, and spoke of the country’s priority in strengthening relations with Portuguese-speaking African states.
Cape Verde is one of the island countries likely to be most affected by rising sea levels and Lula stressed the importance of combating climate change.
The University of Cape Verde, which opened in 2004 with the support of Brazil’s ministry of education, has been singled out as an important Brazilian contribution to the development of education in this African country.
Lula also announced that he would attend the Commonwealth of Portuguese speaking countries summit in Sao Tome and Principe and the BRICS heads of state summit in South Africa, as reported by Brasil 247, a partner of TV BRICS.