Brazil’s Lula arrives in Manila for state visit, ASEAN Summit

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This marks the first state visit of a Brazilian president to the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in Manila on Friday, November 13, for a state visit ahead of his participation in the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

Lula, the first Brazilian president to conduct a state visit to the Philippines, was accompanied by First Lady Rosāngela Lula Da Silva and his official delegation.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, representing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., received Lula.

Before he got in his vehicle, Lula paused to watch the cultural performance in honor of his arrival.

On November 14, Saturday, Lula will begin his state visit with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument in Manila before heading to the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the official venue of the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

The Bazilian leader will have a téte-a-téte with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Private Office of the Delegation Building at the PICC before joining their respective officials for an expanded bilateral meeting.

After the meeting, the two leaders will witness the presentation of signed bilateral agreements and will have a joint press statement.

Lula, as guest of the chair, will join other leaders at the ASEAN Summit, which will take place from November 15 to 17. He first attended the ASEAN Summit, also as guest of the chair, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last year.

Lula’s Manila visit comes just weeks after he won an unprecedented fourth term, and coincides with the 80th year of Philippines-Brazil relations. – Rappler.com