Pratibha Patil addresses Brazilian Parliament

{image-Pratibha+Patil1_16042008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Brasilia , Apr 15: President Pratibha Patil today addressed Brazilian Parliament and called for confirmation of the treaty inked in 2004 which aimed at giving concession to bilateral trade.

The visiting President said the visit of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to India in 2004 had seen the signing of a market access treaty that establishes tariff preferences between India and the countries of Mercosur (Southern Common Market), made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Mrs Patil, who is on a 13-day Latin American tour of Brazil, Chile and Mexico, said 37 agreements in the areas of defence, space, science and technology, commerce and industry, agriculture, tourism and culture, have been signed in the last four years.

More agreements will be signed tomorrow, she said.

India faces challenge of economic growth just like Brazil, the President said, adding that both countries will have to face this challenge with the socio-economic development.

India and Brazil will sign four bilateral agreements, including an extradition treaty to give an impetus to bilateral relations, Mrs Patil.

She said India is a growing economy with a GDP growth rate of about nine per cent. This is a result of economic reforms which has led the tremendous competition in the production and services in India.

Highlighting the importance of mutual cooperation, the President said the expansion of air services must be done in order to reduce the geographical distance of both countries.

Pointing out that both India and Brazil are growing economies with enormous opportunities for further rapid growth, the President said the natural synergies and economic complementarities could be exploited to mutual benefit.

She said moving forward in this direction with mutual cooperation will help both the countries get permanent seats in the UN Security Council.

UNI