Yara Aquino
Repórter da Agência Brasil

Brasília - Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, will meet with the Foreign Minister of Equatorial Guinea, Micha Ondo Bile, today in Brasilia. Bile will announce that his country has decided to place its first embassy in South America in Brazil.

According to Amorim, the fact that Equatorial Guinea is the only Spanish-speaking nation in Africa (it was formerly known as Spanish Guinea), and Brazil the only Portuguese-speaking nation in South America, gives the two nations something in common. "From our point of view, there is no reason that Equatorial Guinea cannot integrate with the community of Portuguese-speaking countries. Besides that, it occupies a strategic location, on the Gulf of Guinea. Brazil can also provide assistance in the areas of tropical agriculture, health and education," said the minister.

Minister Bile declared that his country is interested in strengthening ties with Brazil in order to take advantage of Brazil's experience, technology and skills. He pointed out that Equatorial Guinea is a small country that needs assistance in order to develop its natural resources.

The two ministers will discuss possible cooperation agreements, along with the South Atlantic Cooperation Peace Zone and UN Security Council reform.

Translator: Allen Bennett