Brazil’s Lula to visit Washington next month

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden will meet his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, next month, the White House said Tuesday.

“President Biden looks forward to welcoming President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil to the White House on Friday, February 10 to further strengthen the close relationship between the United States and Brazil,” spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

The two leaders will discuss the US’ “unwavering support of Brazil’s democracy” and ways to work together to “promote inclusion and democratic values in the region and around the world, particularly in the lead-up to the March 2023 Summit for Democracy,” it said.

Among other topics they will discuss are combatting climate change, safeguarding food security, encouraging economic development, strengthening peace and security and managing regional migration.

Biden invited Lula to Washington during a telephone call Jan. 9, shortly after hundreds of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed and ransacked key government buildings in the Brazilian capital.

During the call, Biden condemned the attack on democratic institutions, conveying the US’ "unwavering support for Brazil’s democracy" and for the "free will of the Brazilian people."