Brazil is back on world stage: Scholz
GERMAN Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on a visit in ras lia on Monday, said he is looking forward to a new chapter in relations with razil, following the end of the term of the country s controversial far-right former president air olsonaro.
“We are all excited that razil is back on the world stage,” Scholz said after meeting with razil s new President Luiz In cio Lula da Silva, who was sworn in on anuary 1.
“ou have been missed, dear Lula,” the German leader said, adding that he was looking forward to a long and good cooperation. Lula spontaneously embraced Scholz after these words.
The German chancellor announced a resumption in autumn of the German- razilian government consultations, first held in 15, after they
were suspended during olsonaro s tenure.
Scholz also assured Lula of his support in light of the storming of government buildings in rasil a on anuary
by thousands of olsonaro supporters who refused to accept his electoral defeat.
“Democrats must stand closely together,” the German
chancellor said.
The riots were “a reminder that we must do everything to defend democracy.” Scholz, who arrived in ras lia after stops in Argentina and Chile, is the first head of government to meet with Lula after he took office at the beginning of the year.
The left-wing politician, who already served as razil s president from to 1 , took over from olsonaro after defeating him in a run-off vote in October. Lula s far-right predecessor had largely isolated the country internationally.
Lula has vowed to fight climate change and wants to slow down the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. Scholz on Monday promised him support and alluded to a new partnership against climate change.
His comments come after the German Development Ministry said earlier on Monday that it wants to provide around
million ( 1 million) to razil for the protection of the Amazon rainforest, now that a more pro-environment government is in place.
ehind the funding is Germany s key aim to improve the situation for indigenous groups in the Amazon region, the ministry said in erlin.