THIRD ROUND OF PAKISTAN-BRAZIL, ANNUAL BILATERAL POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS HELD ON 12 MARCH 2015 IN BRASILIA

The Third round of Annual Bilateral Political Consultations was held on 12 March 2015 in Brasilia. Additional Secretary (Americas), Mr. Burhanul Islam, led the Pakistan delegation, while Under Secretary General, Ministry of External Relations, Ambassador Jose Alfredo Graca Lima, led the Asia Oceania Brazilian delegation.

The two sides reviewed the entire gamut of Pakistan-Brazil bilateral relations and exchanged views on a wide range of regional and international issues. They took stock of the existing level of cooperation and also explored the ways and means to expand the scope and scale of engagement between the two countries. The two sides agreed to enhance economic cooperation through trade and investments. The prospects of Brazilian investment in Pakistan under joint venture projects were also considered. They agreed to cement the existing bonds of friendship and cordial cooperation through exchange of high level visits particularly those by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries besides interaction at the United Nations.

The two sides emphasized the need to have proper institutional framework for strong political cooperation with equally strong economic underpinning and cultural ties. In this context, they reviewed the existing status of eight MOUs and Agreements and agreed to finalize those as soon as possible including an Executive Programme for the MOU on Cultural Cooperation which was signed over four decades ago.

The Additional Secretary called on the Secretary General of the Ministry of External Relations, on the conclusion of the Annual Bilateral Consultations, and discussed issues of mutual interest with him. He also held a meeting with Under Secretary General (UN), Ambassador Carlos Antonio da Rocha Puranhos.

The Additional Secretary also held meetings with the head of International Negotiations Department in the Ministry of Trade of Brazil, and the head of Strategic Affairs Division in the Ministry of Defence, during his sojourn in Brasilia.

Islamabad
16th March, 2015

77/2015