The governments in Lisbon and Brasília have stressed that this set of commitments doubles the number of legal instruments reached at the last summit between the two countries, held six and a half years ago, with António Costa as prime minister of Portugal and with the then President of Brazil, Michel Temer.
António Costa and the current Brazilian head of state, Lula da Silva, signed the agreements that cover several areas.
With this commitment, according to the two governments, the aim is to "establish the legal framework for granting equivalence of studies in Brazil (primary and secondary education) and in Portugal (basic and secondary education), with a view to promoting adequate school integration of nationals of the two countries, for the purpose of continuing their studies in educational establishments in the other country".
Another highlight is the agreement on the creation of the Portuguese School of São Paulo -- Center for Portuguese Language and Culture, which aims to define a common understanding about its installation and operation, "establishing, for this purpose, a set of principles and obligations to be observed by both parties".
In addition to an agreement on witness protection, with a view to combating "violent and organized crime in a coordinated manner", the two countries also have a memorandum of understanding "for the creation of mechanisms to promote bilateral cooperation for the exchange of good practices in the promotion and defense of the rights of people with disabilities".
The executives from Lisbon and Brasília will sign a memorandum in the field of energy with the objective of promoting "the development and implementation of institutional, technical and scientific cooperation, as well as the sharing of knowledge, and encourage the joint implementation of programs, projects and activities.
According to the final text, in this area of energy, “energy efficiency programs and initiatives are foreseen, in the integration of renewable electricity in the grid, in the storage of energy and renewable fuels, such as hydrogen and biomethane.
At the same time, in the area of geology and mining, the national and Brazilian executives say they want to "promote the development and implementation of institutional, technical and scientific cooperation, as well as the sharing of knowledge, and encourage the joint implementation of programs, projects and activities". This commitment foresees "the establishment of partnerships, sharing of knowledge in geological research and mineral exploration and the contribution to the sustainable energy transition from the point of view of verticalization of the sector".
Portugal and Brazil will also sign commitments for biomedical cooperation, with a view to strengthening cooperation in terms of research, and also between the Portuguese Space Agency and the Brazilian Space Agency.
In the latter, the objective is to promote cooperation "in various domains of technologies and space services, namely in the fields of observation for the management and monitoring of the territory, terrestrial and maritime, in the aspect of sustainability, as well as in cooperation in infrastructure technologies for orbital and suborbital launch systems".
This protocol also foresees "actions for the exchange of professionals and organization of training actions, as well as reciprocal support and assistance".
The two countries are also going to sign a memorandum of understanding to promote the mutual recognition of driving licenses.
Wonderful news. Hoping the crime, drug & social problems aren't included in the package...
By J Walker from Lisbon on 24 Apr 2023, 07:34
But no mention of Lula’s ignorant stance on Ukraine. Holding his hand out for Russian and Chinese money and then Marcelo doing likewise with Brazil. I hoped Portugal would not be willing to compromise some values in the chase for hand outs.
By Stuart Wood from Algarve on 24 Apr 2023, 07:42
Like the the man says. More crime & Drugs for Porugal. Well said for speaking the truth. As if we have not got enough problems with housing.
By J from Lisbon on 24 Apr 2023, 11:58
Open door to more leprosy cases, more money laundering and more cheap unqualified labour. Those socialists certainly knows how to develop a country...
By K from Other on 24 Apr 2023, 18:30
Well maybe the unhappy Brits who contribute so immeasurably to Portuguese society should go back to Britannia and enjoy the sun-kissed beaches of Grimsby as they sip on their Bradford wine, yes England has it all figured out.
By GUSTAVO FINARDI MANZANO from Lisbon on 24 Apr 2023, 19:35
Well Gustavo, I am not really sure what your point is other than a xenophobic rant about the Brits! But maybe recognition of the role both Portugal and Brazil played in spreading slavery around the world would help to take the edge off.
By Stuart Wood from Algarve on 26 Apr 2023, 09:14