Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva continued his diplomatic tour by meeting with the leader of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Saturday. The meeting took place shortly after Lula’s two-day visit to China.
Upon his arrival at the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi, Lula was welcomed by a 21-gun salute and formation jets trailing Brazil’s national colours. He was played the Brazilian national anthem and inspected an honour guard.
During his visit, Lula attended an “iftar” dinner, the daily fast-breaking meal during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and engaged in discussions with the UAE leader on strengthening economic and trade relations.
According to the official WAM news agency, the UAE is Brazil’s second-largest trading partner in the Middle East, with bilateral trade excluding oil products totalling more than four million dollars last year, representing a 32-percent rise from 2021.
Lula’s visit to China prior to his arrival in the UAE was aimed at consolidating economic ties with Brazil’s main trading partner. He also expressed his country’s willingness to mediate an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Despite criticism from the West regarding their stance on the Ukraine conflict, both China and Brazil have refused to join in the imposition of sanctions on Russia. The UAE, on the other hand, has maintained a neutral stance in the conflict.
Dubai, the financial hub of the UAE, has attracted Russian professionals and businesspeople seeking refuge from the impact of Western sanctions since the invasion in February 2022.
Lula’s visit to the UAE signifies the importance of strengthening ties between the two nations, particularly in the area of trade and commerce. It is hoped that this visit will foster a deeper understanding of each country’s culture and traditions, as well as promote mutual cooperation towards a more peaceful and prosperous world.