Argentina, Brazil pledge to fully restore bilateral relations

By Bala Chambers

BUENOS AIRES (AA) - Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez announced plans Monday to fully restore relations with Brazil after meeting with newly elected President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the capital Brasilia.

The move follows Lula's inauguration on Sunday, when the 77-year-old former metal worker was sworn in for a third term as Brazil’s head of state.

Fernandez told a press conference following their meeting that the two nations have pledged to put relations back on track after a complicated four years during the presidency of far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro.

"In the last four years, it had become more difficult, and we’ve both agreed on the need to give it the importance it deserves," Fernandez added.

Lula wrote on Twitter that he had received his "friend" Fernandez, who he said congratulated him on returning to the presidency and also for Argentina's World Cup victory, adding they have resumed "dialogue and friendship with our biggest neighbor, one of Brazil's main partners in the world."

Fernandez also announced that he will welcome Lula during an official visit to Argentina on Jan. 23.

Later on Twitter, Fernandez underscored that Lula's return to power marks Brazil’s "return to international forums."

The two leaders are expected to meet in Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, a day prior to the summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

Lula also met with Chilean President Gabriel Boric, saying on Twitter that they spoke “about the immense potential for economic collaboration and the development of international partnerships between Brazil and Chile, for the development of our region.”

He also met with Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso, saying in a tweet that they “spoke of the desire to expand relations between our countries, for the benefit of our peoples."

Lula also met with Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, who he said presented him with a letter from President Xi Jinping expressing the desire to expand "cooperation." Lula described China as Brazil's "biggest trading partner" and underscored his intention to "further expand relations between our countries."

Lula is also expected to visit China and the US during his first three months as president.