South American integration is Brazilian best answer to the new international order, said the ambassador designated to Peru, minister of first class Jorge D’Escragnolle Taunay Filho, whose nomination received a favorable report from the Committee on External Relations and National Defense, on Thursday (20). And Peru, he informed, can be considered one of the “most enthusiastic” countries with the integration process.

Taunay defended a closer relationship with neighboring countries as an answer to a question proposed by senator Cristovam Buarque (PDT-DF) regarding the role of Brazil in the moment when there are new power poles in the world, like China, Russia and India. Peruvian government is negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with the United States, the diplomat reminded, but this country has been increasingly closer to Brazil.

- Although they have different priorities, Peruvians are conscious that the integration is the answer to current international moment – said Taunay, whose nomination had as rapporteur ad hoc senator Edison Lobão (DEM-MA).

Five transport axles that connect the two countries and allow the traffic from the Atlantic to the Pacific are now under studies, the ambassador said, which include waterways, highways and railroads. Besides, there are already US$ 2 billion worth of Brazilian investments in Peru, and US$ 2 billion should be invested by Petrobrás until 2011.

Asia

Two other messages received favorable report from the committee. They contain the nominations of first class minister Alcides Gastão Rostand Prates to ambassador in the Philippines and of second-class minister João de Mendonça Lima Neto to ambassador in Vietnam. The messages had as rapporteurs, respectively, senators Geraldo Mesquita Júnior (PMDB-AC) and Maria do Carmo Alves (DEM-SE).

Current ambassador in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam, Prates emphasized the importance of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), which include both Vietnam and Philippines, his next post. The association, according to him, allowed the creation of a "new identity" to small Asian countries, in relation to neighbors like China.

Current consul in Shanghai, Lima Neto said that Vietnam offers great economic opportunities and it has become a “development model”. Strong Vietnamese economic growth, that now oscillates between 7% and 8% a year, is due, according to the ambassador, to reforms initiated in 1986, with the opening of its economy. Now, he told, 56% of Vietnam exports are made through multinational companies settled in the country.

Lima Neto said also that Vietnam has an "evident" interest for Brazil. And he reminded a recent declaration of minister of External Affairs, Celso Amorim, who said that Asia will be the priority of Brazilian foreign policy in 2008.