Minister Graham meets Brazilian Foreign Minister

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham was in Brasilia, Brazil, on January 20 and 21, to meet his Brazilian counterpart Foreign Minister Celso Amorim and other newly appointed members of the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Minister Bill Graham meets the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Celso Amorim

Minister Graham's discussions with Minister Amorim on January 21 and with other Brazilian officials touched on bilateral and multilateral issues, including regional security, human rights, trade and human security.

Canada and Brazil are partners in multilateral organizations such as the Organization of American States (OAS). Canada has pledged to work closely with Brazil and other OAS partners to seek solutions to regional challenges and help strengthen and safeguard democracy in the region.

Minister Bill Graham and Deputy Mark Eyking meet with the Brazilian Minister of Social Welfare, Benedita da Silva

Brazil is also Canada's largest trading partner in South America, with $2.4 billion in two-way trade in 2001. The bilateral relationship has expanded significantly over the last several years with the two countries cooperating in areas such as aboriginal affairs, human rights, federalism, environment, labour, democratic institution building, international de-mining, sports and education.

During his trip, Minister Graham also met with the Radio Canada correspondent in Brazil, Michel Labrecque, who was given an interview with the Minister.