Joint Statement between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso
We met this morning, as friends and partners, on the occasion of the first-ever visit to Brasilia by a Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
At the present time of international economic uncertainty, we reached full agreement on the importance of the measures being taken by the Brazilian government to improve market confidence and economic stability.
We agreed on the need for a significant increase in current levels of trade and investment between Brazil and the United Kingdom, and welcomed the presence of top-level businessmen accompanying the Prime Minister on his visit. We will give our full support to their efforts to develop new opportunities with their Brazilian counterparts.
We agreed an updated Joint Action Plan to direct links between our two governments over the years ahead, which have been strengthened by the institution of annual high-level political talks, economic consultations and dialogue on human rights and social issues. We look forward to greater co-operation in these areas and in our joint commitment to international action to deal with the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
We reaffirmed our commitment to the multilateral trading system as the best means of generating prosperity for all. We look forward to the early conclusion of free trade negotiations between the European Union and Mercosul, and to the launch of a broad-based and well-balanced new round of global trade negotiations of the WTO Summit in Doha, in November.
Improving the quality of life of all our citizens is of fundamental importance. Educational links can stimulate mutual understanding and respect between peoples. We will build on present arrangements to allow greater interchange between our young people, through scholarships, distance learning and other programmes.
We renewed our shared commitment to sustainable development. The decade since the landmark Rio Earth Summit in 1992 has seen unprecedented growth in trade, investment and information technology. This has raised the quality of life of much of the world's population, bringing millions out of poverty. However, too many people remain excluded from these gains, especially in Africa; and increased growth has put the global environment under greater pressure.
We both reaffirmed our determination to address the problem of climate change through the Kyoto process, and confirmed our intention to ratify the Kyoto protocol.
And we looked forward to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, in September 2002. Brazil and the UK will work together, with business, NGOs and citizens, in a constructive way, to ensure that Johannesburg addresses effectively the challenges of globalisation and environmental management.
Our discussions underlined the value of joint action by like-minded leaders working together on both domestic and international issues, from a shared, progressive perspective.
Brasília, 30 July 2001