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ABU DHABI: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, following a two-day visit to China to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties.
UAE Energy and Infrastructure Minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazrouei welcomes Brazilian leader at Abu Dhabi airport, state news agency Wan reports.
Lula, who returned to power in the South American country in January after serving two terms as president from 2003 to 2010, is expected to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Brazil’s Lula says US should stop ‘encouraging’ Ukraine war
In Beijing, Lula sought to cement economic ties with Brazil’s main trading partner, saying his country was “back on the international stage” and ready to mediate an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Both China and Brazil have refused to join Western countries in enforcing sanctions over Moscow’s intrusion, which fears the two potential mediators are too comfortable with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The UAE maintains a neutral stance in the conflict.
Since the February 2022 invasion, its financial hub Dubai has attracted Russian professionals and businessmen fleeing the fallout of Western sanctions.
The oil-rich Gulf monarchy is Brazil’s second-largest trading partner in the Middle East, according to WAM.
Bilateral trade, excluding oil, totaled more than $4 million last year, up 32% from 2021, it said.
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