US, Brazil sign deal to strengthen military ties

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Brazil has signed a pact to boost military cooperation with the U.S., its Defense Ministry has announced.

The Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Agreement signed on Sunday in Miami will "pave the way for the two governments to develop future joint projects aligned with the mutual interest of the parties, covering the possibility of improving or providing new military capabilities," the ministry said in a statement.

The deal represents an initial step for both Brazil and the U.S. to develop joint projects in the area of ​​defense.

The bilateral agreement "reduces bureaucratic processes" in the sale of military goods between the two countries, opens the U.S. market to military products from Brazil, and "could facilitate the entry of Brazilian products to NATO member countries."

The statement added that the agreement "does not prevent the parties from entering into any other agreement in the area of ​​research, development, testing and evaluation."

The announcement comes one day after Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro headed to Florida for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday at his Mar-a-Lago resort.

The two leaders discussed Venezuela, the Middle East, and trade.

While the U.S. is promoting its "major non-NATO ally" Brazil seeking membership in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Brazil wants Washington's blessing on foreign policy, especially on Venezuela.

Both leaders have supported Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido against President Nicolas Maduro since a 2019 uprising.