Brazil and Romania to booster cooperation in agriculture and defense

On Tuesday (Apr. 18), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil and President Klaus Iohannis of Romania met to discuss revitalizing their bilateral relations. Lula emphasized the potential for expanding trade and investment flows in a variety of areas, including agriculture and defense products. 

The defense sector presents real possibilities for scientific and technological cooperation and business opportunities between Brazil's aircraft manufacturer Embraer and Romanian aerospace companies.

Lula also mentioned the newly created Parliamentary Friendship Group between Brazil and Romania, which serves as a mechanism for articulating bilateral interests.

Additionally, he expressed his interest in the conclusion of the Mercosur-European Union agreement, which was approved in 2019 after 20 years of negotiations. This agreement must be ratified by the parliaments of all countries in the two blocks before coming into force, involving a process that includes 31 countries.

The meeting between Lula and Iohannis took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brasília and was followed by a lunch for the Romanian delegation. 

In 2022, trade between Brazil and Romania totaled $746.9 million, representing an 18.1% increase compared to 2021, with Brazil having a surplus of $57.7 million.

This year marks the 95th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.