By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recognized Saturday the Philippines’ socioeconomic gains, citing the country’s record-low poverty rate and improved income status as “positive results” under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s leadership.
Speaking during a state luncheon hosted by Marcos at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, Lula commended the Philippines for its progress despite the global economic challenges.
“Our countries do not accept underdevelopment as fate. President Marcos, under your leadership, the Philippines has reached the lowest rate of poverty in its history. And for the first time, the Philippines was considered a medium to high-income country by the UN (United Nations),” Lula said.
“These are very positive results in a very challenging international scenario,” he added.
Lula said stronger bilateral ties would help both countries become more resilient amid global uncertainties.
He emphasized the importance of cooperation, trade, investment and commercial relations in building stronger connections between the Philippines and Brazil.
Lula described his state visit as a special occasion, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He stressed that the two countries could build a stronger partnership based on shared values, common challenges and a vision for sustainable development.
Marcos, meanwhile, described Lula’s visit as a “watershed moment” in Philippine-Brazil relations, saying it had transformed a longstanding friendship into an “active, forward-looking partnership.”
“With the productive conclusion of our bilateral meeting today, I am confident that our two countries will forge closer cooperation in several areas, such as trade and investment, agriculture, energy, science, technology, and innovation, defense, technical cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges,” he said.
Marcos also cited opportunities to strengthen collaboration in regional and multilateral platforms, including the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Lula’s state visit marks the first time a sitting Brazilian president has visited the Philippines and highlights both countries’ commitment to expanding engagement between Southeast Asia and Latin America.
The Brazilian president will participate as guest of the chair at the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. (PNA)
