Brazil, Russia talk joint security efforts for 2018 World Cup

Russian security authorities met Monday (Dec. 4) with President Michel Temer and other members of the Brazilian government. Among the topics discussed was cooperation efforts in security for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Russia is to host the upcoming football competition, and Brazil was the previous host country, in 2014.

Temer received General Nokilai Patrushev, Russia's security council, to talk about joint efforts in security for the World Cup in Russia. Intelligence and strategies to fight crimes in border areas were also part of the discussion.

After the talk between Temer and Patrushev, an expanded meeting was held with security officials from both countries, who addressed topics like fighting international terrorism and intelligence issues linked to BRICS—the bloc made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

The meeting was chaired by Brazilian General Sérgio Etchegoyen, head of the president's Institutional Security Cabinet (GSI), and General Patrushev. Also in attendance was Justice Minister Torquato Jardim.

Etchegoyen said that, despite cultural differences, Brazil and Russia share similar issues regarding securities due to the extension of their territory and border areas.

“We haven't experienced the distress of sharing national borders with nations threatened by terrorism, but we're forced to keep a close watch on organized crime, especially drug trafficking,” Etchegoyen said during the meeting, referring to security issues in Brazil.

Patrushev said that BRICS has proved instrumental in cooperation for economic and security plans, and voiced Russia's interest in Brazil's measures for fighting crime in border areas.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira