“We trust that Albania will overcome its present difficulties and may, in the near future, become a member of the
European Union. This confidence is one of the main reasons for our presence
here. Brazil holds in great regard its historical, cultural and economic
relations with Europe. We count on having Albania as one more partner among the
members of the European Union,” said Brazilian Ambassador Francisco Carvalho Chagas
TIRANA – The 197th anniversary of the Independence of Brazil has been celebrated in Tirana in a reception hosted by Ambassador Francisco Carvalho Chagas and his wife Maria Clara de Rada who expressed their pleasure to welcome a large crowd of invitees among whom senior local authorities, representatives of the diplomatic corps in Tirana, and media people.
“This is the first time my wife and I have this honor and it is with great joy that we are bringing together Albanian friends, foreign colleagues and the Brazilian community in this country,” said the Ambassador in his greeting remarks on Tuesday.
Brazil and Albania established diplomatic relations in 1961, and it was the hope of Ambassador Chagas that they may gain momentum in the coming years. “Although geographically distant, Brazil and Albania trust that our national development projects will bring us closer together. Our bilateral trade has grown and we believe there are great prospects for expansion and diversification. I would like to point out especially the important and traditional participation of Brazilian products in the Albanian market.”
He was also certain that Albania and other countries in the Balkans may also attract Brazilian investments in the future.
In a reference to Albania’s European project, the Ambassador said: “We trust that Albania will overcome its present difficulties and may, in the near future, become a member of the European Union. This confidence is one of the main reasons for our presence here. Brazil holds in great regard its historical, cultural and economic relations with Europe. We count on having Albania as one more partner among the members of the European Union.”
Mr. Chagas touched upon the issue of fires in the Amazon region saying that there was an immediate reaction by the Brazilian authorities, with a general mobilization of means and personnel, including military, to fight the fires and prevent criminal actions.
In conclusion Ambassador Francisco Chagas addressed a greeting on the Brazilian National Day in Portuguese to the Brazilian community in Albania, and the Albanian friends who speak or understand our language. Below is Ambassador’s full speech: It is with pleasure that I welcome you all on this occasion as we celebrate the 197 years of the Independence of Brazil.
This is the first time my wife and I have this honor and it is with great joy that we are bringing together Albanian friends, foreign colleagues and the Brazilian community in this country. Relations between Brazil and Albania were established in 1961. We hope that they may gain momentum in the coming years. Although geographically distant, Brazil and Albania trust that our national development projects will bring us closer together.
Our bilateral trade has grown and we believe there are great prospects for
expansion and diversification. I would like to point out especially the important and traditional participation of Brazilian products in the Albanian market. Brazil is today the leading provider of poultry and beef to Albania and takes great care to meet all technical and quality requirements, in accordance with international and European standards. This commitment to quality played a major role in making Brazil the second largest exporter of agricultural products.
In addition to trade, we follow with interest the prospects for Brazilian investments in Albania. Brazilian capitals are among the main foreign investors in the European Union (11th). We are certain that Albania and other countries in the Balkans may also attract these investments in the future .Albanian tourism is calling the attention of Brazilians. In this regard, I note with satisfaction that last August a special program dedicated to Albania, its people and culture, was aired on Brazilian television. It was produced by Brazilian “Rede Globo”, whose “telenovelas” are well known in Albania. The production of a special edition of “Globo Reporter” had the support of Albanian authorities and the Embassy of Brazil.“Globo Reporter” reaches an audience of 50 million viewers. We hope it will be a milestone for making Albania better known in my country and to increase the number of Brazilian visitors.
Another important aspect of our relations is to accompany the development of Albania’s institutions and its European project. We trust that Albania will overcome its present difficulties and may, in the near future, become a member of the European Union.
This confidence is one of the main reasons for our presence here. Brazil holds in great regard its historical, cultural and economic relations with Europe. We count on having Albania as one more partner among the members of the European Union.