Foreign Minister advocates results-driven diplomacy

Brazil's new Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said last week that the main lines of action of the Foreign Ministry's activities for the second Rousseff administration will be to open up and consolidate Brazil's access to all markets. He said the president made clear in her inaugural address that Brazil's diplomacy will act by supporting and driving forward the government's public policies.

“We will step up our efforts in international trade, so a main line of action of the Foreign Ministry will be to cooperate intensely to open, expand, and consolidate Brazil's access to all markets to the fullest extent possible by promoting and defending Brazil's productive sector, assisting their initiatives, and helping to attract investment wherever possible,” the minister said.

Mauro Vieira stressed advocated a focus on results: “I'll keep in mind that just having a worldwide presence is not enough – we must take an active role. The valuable symbolism of a [worldwide] presence can't replace the value of a results-driven diplomacy – and by that I mean results that can be measured in numbers and achieved based on a clear understanding of one's mission, and through action, engagement, resources, and so on.”

He acknowledged the difficulties faced by Brazil's representations overseas, and assured that he will be mindful of each outpost's needs and priorities. “It's our role at Itamaraty [Brazil's Foreign Ministry] to ensure the welfare of Brazilian nationals abroad. I'll see that our consular policy provide personnel and resources to adequately respond to the growing demand for services and assistance due to the significant increase in the number of Brazilians living or traveling abroad – whether for tourism, work, study, or other reasons,” he said.

Vieira went on to say that Brazil will retain its role of a global player by pursuing relations with all countries and blocs worldwide, because this is a role suited to its reality and to the deepest aspirations of its people.

Translated by Mayra Borges