BRAZIL intends to strengthen bilateral relations with African nations in the fields of technology and knowledge development, President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva said at the weekend.

He was speaking at a press conference in Angola’s capital Luanda yesterday, following a meeting with members of the Brazilian community in the country following last week’s summit of the Brics bloc of major developing countries in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Lula said there was “a culture of always looking at the rich cousin, at the richest countries. For many, the relationship with Africa was seen as a problematic relationship. The African continent has 54 countries that love Brazil and that is why we must bet on the relationship with these sister nations.”

He said one of the key steps he intended to take was to start direct flights from Brazil to African nations, adding that, on his return to Brasilia, he would hold a meeting with the airlines and the Ministry of Ports and Airports to discuss the issue.

Lula said Brazil and nations in Africa “can grow together,” insisting that “Brazil cannot simply want to export to Africa.”

The Brazilian president went on to say that “no matter the size of the country or the GDP [gross domestic product], we have to be in Africa and represent our country.”

Around two-thirds of all the slaves shipped to Brazil came from the part of Africa that is now Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Brazil also enslaved more Africans than any other country.

Lula said: “Culture unites Brazil and Angola. We are going to reissue the Conferences of Intellectuals from Africa and the Diaspora, an event that we held in the past and which will strengthen cultural relations on both sides of the Atlantic.” 

He added: “Our co-operation will also be based on mutual cultural recognition.”