1. At the invitation of His Excellency Prof. Robert DUSSEY, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad, His Excellency Mr. MAURO VIEIRA, Minister of State for External Relations of the Federative Republic of Brazil paid an official visit to Lomé on July 18 and 19, 2024.
2. This visit is in keeping with the excellent relations of fraternity, friendship and cooperation that have united Brazil and Togo since the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 1972.
3. At bilateral level, the two personalities praised the excellent quality of diplomatic relations between Brazil and Togo, while noting the absence of joint cooperation commission sessions between the two countries, as well as the holding of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, in accordance with the agreements signed to this effect, respectively in 1988 and 2018.
4. The two ministers, strengthened by this observation, urged each other to hold these periodic meetings in order to further strengthen cooperation between Brazil and Togo, which is founded on the values and ideals of peace, solidarity, mutual respect and win-win partnership, with a view to meeting the aspirations of both peoples.
5. Prof. Robert DUSSEY and Mr. MAURO VIEIRA reviewed key areas of cooperation between Brazil and Togo, including agricultural research, education and military training.
6. The Togolese minister thanked the Brazilian government for its support in implementing the “Institutional support for Togo’s technical institute for agricultural research (ITRA)” project, scholarship programs for Togolese students, the training of Togolese officers and joint maritime exercises between the Togolese and Brazilian navies.
7. With regard to economic cooperation, the Togolese Foreign Minister and his Brazilian counterpart discussed the need to organize economic missions by Togolese and Brazilian businessmen to their respective countries. The Togolese minister urged the Brazilian government to mobilize Brazilian investors to set up on the Adétikopé industrial platform (PIA).
8. They also agreed on the forthcoming signature of a memorandum of understanding between the Rio Branco Institute of the Ministry of External Relations of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Togolese Republic for the training of diplomats.
9. Their Excellencies Robert DUSSEY and MAURO VIEIRA discussed security issues in Togo’s northern region, marked by jihadist incursions. The Togolese minister explained to his Brazilian counterpart the multiple efforts of the government and the personal commitment of the Head of State in the fight against this scourge which threatens the stability of the sub-region.
10. For his part, H.E.M. MAURO VIEIRA renewed the solidarity of the Brazilian people with the victims, and reiterated his country’s commitment to accompanying Togo in its fight through multiform support in a spirit of cooperative solidarity.
11. Turning to the preparations for the 9th Pan-African Congress, to be held in Lomé from October 29 to November 02, 2024, Prof. Robert DUSSEY took the opportunity to invite Brazil to take an active part in the event, given its strong Afro-descendant community.
12. The head of Brazilian diplomacy praised the efforts of the Togolese government in its policy of uniting Africans and Afro-descendants throughout the world. He also welcomed Brazil’s choice to host the regional preparatory conference for the 9th Pan-African Congress, scheduled for August 2024 in Salvador de Bahia, and reassured the Brazilian government of its readiness to support Togo in organizing this major event.
13. At the international level, the two personalities congratulated Togo on its tireless efforts to promote peace and security in the West African sub-region through the use of peaceful means, namely dialogue, consultation and mediation.
14. The two parties also expressed their concerns about other conflicts in the world, notably the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the conflict between Israel and Hamas, etc.
15. At the end of his visit, H.E.M. MAURO VIEIRA, Minister of State for External Relations of the Federative Republic of Brazil, expressed his gratitude to the Togolese authorities for the warm welcome extended to him and for the facilities granted to him and his delegation during their stay.
Lomé, July 18, 2024.
