SAO PAULO (AP) – The presidents of Brazil and France announced plans Tuesday to invest 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in the Amazon, which includes parts of the rainforest in neighboring French Guiana.
The two governments announced in a joint statement that the funds will be distributed over the next four years to protect the rainforest. The deal will be a collaboration between Brazil's state-owned bank and a French investment institution. BRAZIL and FRANCE said private resources are also welcome.
president of france Emmanuel MacronHe and Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva this week sought to restore ties after years of friction with former President Jair Bolsonaro and deepen cooperation to protect rainforests and boost trade. Have a meeting.
President Macron began his three-day visit to Brazil from the Amazonian city of Belem, where he met with his longtime ally Lula. The French president then took a boat to Combou Island to meet with indigenous leaders.
Both Mr. Macron and Mr. Lula witnessed a protest by Greenpeace Brazil, which held a banner reading “No oil in the Amazon.'' The Brazilian government is considering allowing oil drilling in areas near the state of Para, where Belém is located.
In his speech, Lula said Macron's visit was part of a global effort to strengthen protection of rainforests.
Speaking next to the French president, Lula said: “I want to convince those who are already deforesting that in order for their forests to survive they need to contribute in an important way to the countries that still have them.” he said.
Macron's office earlier said a potential European trade deal with Mercosur was not on the agenda. After farmers raised concerns during protests in France and across Europe, the French president said he would oppose such a deal unless South American producers respect the same environmental and health standards as Europeans. There is.
The President of France has awarded the prestigious Legion of Honour to indigenous leader Raoni Métoucutile in recognition of his efforts to protect the rainforest.
“You were in Europe, but I'm here in your forest and I promise to be with my people in this coveted forest,” President Macron told indigenous leaders, according to French radio RFI. I did,” he said. “President Lula and I have a common purpose for one of our friends in this land that is yours.”
With Brazil scheduled to host the 20-nation summit in Rio de Janeiro and the UN climate change talks in Belem in November, Lula and Macron called for a “common path forward” to combat both climate change and poverty. Macron's office said that the aim is to next year.
Mr Macron and Mr Lula are scheduled to launch a diesel-powered submarine built in Brazil using French technology on Wednesday at the Itaguay shipyard outside Rio de Janeiro. The French president will then head to the big city of São Paulo to meet with Brazilian investors. On Thursday, the French president will travel to Brasilia for another meeting with Lula.
____ Corbett reported from Paris.
