The meeting of Iohannis with the authorities in Rio de Janeiro: the stimulation of commercial exchanges

The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, had meetings with the representatives of the local authorities in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.

Iohannis highlighted the special relations of Romania with Brazil, respectively with the city of Rio de Janeiro, pointing out the fact that, 95 years ago, with the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Romania established, in Rio de Janeiro, its first legation from Latin America. The President of Romania emphasized the active role of the Romanian community in Brazil in promoting and developing relations between the two peoples, especially in the cultural field.

During the discussions, topical issues were addressed, including the dynamism of economic relations, the stimulation of commercial changes and mutual investments, combating climate change and environmental protection, sustainable development, education and culture.

Referring to the need to revitalize and expand economic cooperation, including trade and investment with Brazil, and with Rio de Janeiro respectively, the President of Romania presented the economic opportunities offered by Romania and invited investors from the region to come to our country, highlighting the fact that joint projects can be developed in several fields.

President Klaus Iohannis stated that Rio de Janeiro is of particular interest to Romania, being a defining economic, cultural and historical center for Brazil.

Appreciating the intense involvement of the authorities in Rio de Janeiro in aspects related to environmental protection, Iohannis encouraged the intensification of collaboration in this field, which can become one of the pillars of sectoral cooperation between the two countries, at the central and local level.

On the occasion of the meeting, in the presence of President Klaus Iohannis, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests from Romania and the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The memorandum aims at cooperation in the fields of adaptation to climate change, conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as forest management and monitoring.

From the discussions with the local authorities, it emerged that both Rio de Janeiro and the cities in Romania face common challenges, such as the effects of climate change, air pollution in the urban environment and suboptimal waste management. In this sense, Iohannis highlighted the fact that the transition to sustainable cities requires innovation, investments in research and development, but also international cooperation to learn from the good practices developed in different states.

During the discussion with the local authorities in Rio de Janeiro, President Klaus Iohannis emphasized the importance of parks for the quality of life in the urban environment, but also the need to protect urban forests, including from wildfires, at the same time expressing the openness for closer cooperation between the two countries in these fields.

At the same time, Klaus Iohannis noted that a successful green transition also requires investments in education, stressing the fact that education regarding climate change and the environment, especially for young people, is another area in which Romania and Brazil can cooperate, at the central level, but and at the local level. Also, the President of Romania laid a wreath at the National Monument of Heroes Fallen during the Second World War.