“It is true that football is a great Ambassador of Brazil. In Albania, however, we believe that there is much more to be offered. We are working to promote cinema, arts and tourism, bringing Brazil to Albania and Albania to Brazil. Recently, the Embassy of Brazil, together with local authorities, assisted in the production of a special edition on Albania of “Globo Reporter”, a program by RedeGlobo that reaches 50 million viewers,” has said Brazil’s Ambassador Francesco Carvalho Chagas
By Genc Mlloja
Senior Diplomatic Editor
“Brazil – Albania relations are characterized by friendship and mutual respect. We are both interested in the positive prospects of our respective regional integration processes. At the economic level we follow the possibilities for Brazilian capitals to invest in Albania. Brazil believes in the potential of the Albanian market and the country’s role as a gateway to the region,” has said the Ambassador of Brazil to Albania, Francesco Carvalho Chagas.
Ambassador Chagas made that comment in an exclusive interview with Albanian Daily News taking the opportunity of the 197th anniversary of the Independence of Brazil which was also celebrated in Tirana with a reception hosted by the Brazilian Embassy on September 10 this year.
“Brazilians celebrate the “Sete de Setembro” with parades and other great demonstrations of patriotism. Preparations are underway for the 2022 festivities of Brazil’s bicentennial,” he revealed.
During the interview the Ambassador spoke of the forest fires, particularly those in Amazon areas, saying that South America is in the middle of the dry season when forest fires are frequent in Brazil and in all other Amazon countries.
“This year’s fires are within the historical average,” he said adding that in August the Brazilian government launched operation “Green Brazil” to face the situation and combat forest fires and environmental crimes. “The Brazilian government is in close coordination with other six Amazon countries.”
Answering a question on the appointment of Brazil by the government of the United States to become a Major Non-NATO Ally – MNNA, he said that his country is satisfied with that. “MNNA status opens up opportunities for exchange and military assistance, joint training and participation in projects. Other countries, among them Argentina, are MNNA, and this condition does not hinder the ability to maintain their respective international commitments,” he said.
In a comment on the situation in the Western Balkans, Mr. Chagas said Brazil supports the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, in accordance to the UNSC resolutions. “We are confident that the Belgrade- Pristina dialogue may be soon reestablished. It will be up to the two parties to decide on the best way to pave the basis of their future relations.”
In a comment on his family’s life as ‘ordinary’ citizens in Albania he noted that as Brazilians they find it very easy to adapt to life in this country. “We have felt at home in Tirana and in every other place we have visited.”
Besides the progress of the economic cooperation between Brazil and Albania the Ambassador said that it is true that football is a great Ambassador of Brazil, but, according to him his belief is that Brazil can offer much more in Albania. “We are working to promote cinema, arts and tourism, bringing Brazil to Albania and Albania to Brazil.”
The Ambassador brought to the attention the fact that his wife Mrs. Maria Clara de Rada is very proud of her Arberesh origin. “Her ancestors, from the family of the great writer, Jeronim de Rada, immigrated from Macchia Albanese, in Calabria, to Brazil in the late 1800s. My wife likes to say that ‘it is a joy to return to Albania after 500 years’,” said Ambassador Francesco Carvalho Chagas in the interview which follows:
-Mr. Ambassador, Brazilian Independence Day is celebrated on 7 September every year. It is also known as Sete de Setembro. In Portuguese, it is known as ‘Dia da Independencia’. Please could you share with ADN’s readers some highlights of this Day, its history, significance and how people celebrate it?
– Brazil became independent from Portugal on September 7, 1822. Independence was a process that began with the arrival of the Portuguese royal family to Brazil in 1808, fleeing the Napoleonic invasion of the Iberian Peninsula. Brazil became the seat of the empire. After the court returned to Portugal in 1821, Brazilians would accept reverting to the condition of mere colony. Brazilian nationalists convinced the prince regent D. Pedro de Orleans e Braganca to lead the country into independence and he became our first emperor.
Brazilians celebrate the “Sete de Setembro” with parades and other great demonstrations of patriotism. Preparations are underway for the 2022 festivities of Brazil’s bicentennial.
-The commemoration of the Independence Day is overshadowed by the terrible Amazon fires hitting hard your country. President Bolsarano has launched the “Brazil week”. First, Your Excellency, would you give some more information on the impact of the devastating fires on your country, and secondly how is the government coping with the situation and which is the message that does the “Brazil week” convey internally and internationally?
-The Brazil Week “Semana da Patria” is a tradition. Every year, in the first week of September the main celebrations of the independence take place.
As it has been already published by ADN, we are in the middle of the dry season in South America, when forest fires are frequent in Brazil and in all other Amazon countries. This year’s fires are within the historical average.
In August the Brazilian government launched operation “Green Brazil” to face the situation and combat forest fires and environmental crimes. “Green Brazil” has mobilized 4,500 agents, 11 aircrafts and 250 vehicles. The 43 thousand military in the Amazon are ready to also take part in the operation. The Brazilian government is in close coordination with other six Amazon countries.
Furthermore, Brazil has accepted the help of those countries that, respecting our sovereignty, have extended a friendly hand of cooperation.
-Mr. Ambassador Brazil has recently gained the vaunted status of “Major Non-NATO Ally.” What does this title symbolize for Brazil and does it affect Brazil’s global role on regional and international level in the frame of Bolsonaro’s presidency deep changes in foreign policy? Does such an approach run counter to your traditionally foreign policy based on multilateralism, non-interventionism, and a commitment to universal human rights?
-Brazil received with great satisfaction the appointment by the government of the United States to become a Major Non-NATO Ally – MNNA. MNNA status opens up opportunities for exchange and military assistance, joint training and participation in projects. Other countries, among them Argentina, are MNNA, and this condition does not hinder the ability to maintain their respective international commitments.
It is true that President Bolsonaro has granted great attention to the bilateral relations of Brazil with our major international partners. However, my country has not diminished its interest in the multilateral approach to important issues. This can be illustrated with an example related to human rights.
Brazil is of the countries that participate in the Group of Lima, created to assist Venezuela in returning to democracy, rebuilding its economy and providing immediate relief to the grave humanitarian crisis the country is facing.
-In the meantime, Sir, what can you say on Brazil’s interests in Western Balkans and as a great power which is your country’s stance on the move for ‘border correction’ between Kosovo and Serbia?
– Brazil supports the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, in accordance to the UNSC resolutions. We are confident that the Belgrade- Pristina dialogue may be soon reestablished. It will be up to the two parties to decide on the best way to pave the basis of their future relations.
-How would you describe the level of the relationship between Brazil and Albania? Which are some of the main interests of the two countries economically?
– Brazil – Albania relations are characterized by friendship and mutual respect. We are both interested in the positive prospects of our respective regional integration processes. At the economic level we follow the possibilities for Brazilian capitals to invest in Albania. Brazil believes in the potential of the Albanian market and the country’s role as a gateway to the region.
Brazil has become the second largest exporter of agricultural goods and is committed to the quality of its products. We are proud to be the main provider of meat products to the Albanian market.
-As a follow up what can you say on the two countries’ cooperation politically, especially in international organizations?
– Brazil and Albania have been working alongside in several international organizations: in the wider context of the United Nations, in New York, as well as in specialized fora such as UNICEF and FAO.
-Your Excellency, football has been Brazil’s well known ‘Ambassador’ among Albanians. All generations are dedicated fans of your national team. In this frame what Brazil and Albania are doing to expand cooperation in the fields of culture, education, sports which can energize people -to – people exchanges?
-It is true that football is a great Ambassador of Brazil. In Albania, however, we believe that there is much more to be offered. We are working to promote cinema, arts and tourism, bringing Brazil to Albania and Albania to Brazil.
Recently, the Embassy of Brazil, together with local authorities, assisted in the production of a special edition on Albania of “Globo Reporter”, a program by RedeGlobo that reaches 50 million viewers.
In literature we hope to promote the translation of more titles by Brazilian authors into Albanian.
Another interesting project in this area will be to support the research about the period the great poet Zef Serembe spent in Brazil in 1874-75, and the circumstances of his later demise in Sao Paulo, in 1901.
-In conclusion, Mr. Ambassador, what could you say on your Albanian ‘experience’, and I mean your family and you as ‘ordinary’ citizens across Albania?
-As Brazilians we find it very easy to adapt to life in Albania. We have felt at home in Tirana and in every other place we have visited: Shkodra, Durres, Kruja, Pogradec, Korca, Voskopoje, Berat, Vlora, Himara and Gjirokastra.
As many already know, my wife is very proud of her Arberesh origin. Her ancestors, from the family of the great writer, Jeronim de Rada, immigrated from Macchia Albanese, in Calabria, to Brazil in the late 1800s.
My wife likes to say that “it is a joy to return to Albania after 500 years.”/ADN
