Portugal and the world "missed Brazil dearly"

The Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa welcomed the President-elect of Brazil Lula da Silva in Lisbon, thanking him for "having chosen Portugal as his first bilateral trip following his election and prior to his inauguration".

António Costa claimed that "the world missed Brazil dearly and needed Brazil to return to the protection of the values of democracy, fighting climate change, protecting the environment and culture".

"Portugal missed Brazil dearly and I missed President Lula dearly. We need to make up for lost time and there is a lot to do together", he stated.

The Prime Minister also said that "this year we celebrate 200 years of Brazil’s Independence, a beautiful history of an outstanding country of which Portugal is proud to be a brother and friend and with which we wish to build the future together".

"As of 1 January, we will have Brazil close again and continue on this journey we began 200 years ago between two independent nations and the centuries we had in common before that", António Costa further stated.

The President-elect of Brazil stated his "joy in being in Portugal and welcomed by the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister, showing that Brazil is back to the political world to discuss matters of interest to mankind".

Lula da Silva said "we will care for the Amazon as a world heritage over which Brazil has full sovereignty, yet needs to be shared with the world", "as the climate is a challenge for all mankind."

He further noted that after being inaugurated he will "sign the Camões prize Xico Buarque won" but which the Government of Brasilia has not yet signed.