Date: 09/07/2010
Source: The Presidency
Title: SA: Zuma: Address by the President of South Africa, on the State visit to South Africa by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, Pretoria

Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Members of the media,
I would like to thank President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for graciously accepting our invitation to undertake a state visit to South Africa during a special period in our country.
The visit takes place as we celebrate the first ever Soccer World Cup on the African continent.
This is also significant because Brazil will host the 2014 Soccer World Cup. Our invitation to His Excellency the President of Brazil symbolizes the importance that South Africa attaches to the relationship.
It is also an acknowledgement of Brazil's contribution to the advancement of the African agenda and South-South co-operation. In October last year, I undertook a State Visit to Brazil. The fact that there is a return visit so soon thereafter indicates the seriousness with which we view our relations.
The relations between our two countries cover many areas. On the economic front, Brazil is South Africa's largest trading partner in South America with the total trade between the two countries during the period 2009 being worth more than one billion US dollars.
There is a great potential for further growth in trade and economic relations. We have agreed to deepen cooperation in areas such as trade and industry, science and technology, agriculture and rural development, arts and culture, defence, education and skills development, health, sport and recreation, tourism, and water and environmental affairs.
I am pleased that today we signed a Strategic Partnership Declaration, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Intergovernmental Relations. This surely takes our relations a step forward.
At a regional level, we appreciate the fact that during his term of office, President Lula
has prioritized relations with Africa. Brazil has expanded its presence in Africa over the
past 10 years.
At a multilateral level, our two countries are members of the India-Brazil-South Africa axis. We are co-operating on a range of international issues promoting their common views on development, human rights and democracy.
We are also of one mind regarding global efforts to prevent conflicts and threats such as those posed by crime, drugs and environmental degradation. At a multilateral level, the relationship between our two countries is underpinned by a common desire to influence the global agenda in the 21st Century.
We are determined to continue doing this in a manner that reflects the aspirations of developing countries, particularly through South to South relations and IBSA. We share similar views on the transformation of multilateral institutions such as international financial institutions.
We would like to see continued co-operation in sport development, as Brazil will be hosting two major sports events, the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016.
We also stand ready to share lessons gained during the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Brazil in preparation for 2014, to ensure a vibrant Latin American World Cup.
Mr President, I would have preferred the final match to be between South Africa and Brazil but unfortunately this did not materialize! South Africa will settle the score with Uruguay in Brazil at the 2014 tournament. I am sure that you will want to do the same with the Netherlands, Mr President!
Otherwise we are very excited about the way the soccer tournament has proceeded. All the 32 teams that have played in this tournament are winners. And all the millions that have watched the competition from the comfort of their homes, from stadiums or fan parks are also winners. It has been a tournament of champions.
Mr President, thank you for traveling thus far to see us.
We look forward to even deeper bilateral relations between our two countries after this visit.
I thank you.