Rousseff, Bachelet sign agreement on human rights violations

The presidents of Brazil and Chile have signed a memorandum of understanding to share documents that can could help clarify gross human rights violations. Michele Bachelet and Chile's Foreign Minister, Heraldo Muñoz, were welcomed by President Dilma Rousseff at Palácio do Planalto on Thursday (Jun 12).

In a visit to Brasília early in April, Muñoz announced an agreement alongside Brazil's Foreign Minister, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo, to share information on Brazilians arrested in Chile and Chileans arrested in Brazil during the military dictatorship. On that occasion, they recalled how Rousseff and Bachelet were victims of their countries' authoritarian regimes.

Also at Planalto, an agreement was signed whereby the national federations of industry of Brazil (CNI) and Chile (SOFOFA) promise to work to expand and diversify their countries' bilateral trade relations.

According to Brazil's Foreign Ministry, Brazil is the world's leading destination for Chile's investments amounting to $24.6 billion. Brazil has also expanded its presence in Chile, especially in energy, financial services, food, mining, steel, and construction. Trade between the countries reached $8.8 billion in 2013, reflecting a 65.3% increase over the last four years.

The two presidents headed to São Paulo where they are attending the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup and the opening match, Brazil vs. Croatia. Also attending are the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, Croatia Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic, the Presidents of Ecuador Rafael Correa, Uruguay's José Mujica, Paraguay's Horácio Cartes, the Republic of Congo's Denis Sassou-Nguesso, and the Emir of Qatar, Tamin Bin Hamad Al Thani.

Translated by Mayra Borges