RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – After undergoing assessment by the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee (CRE) on Thursday, February 13th, diplomat Nestor Forster was unanimously approved by the CRE to take over the Brazilian Embassy in the United States. Appointed last October by President Jair Bolsonaro, he has yet to pass the vote by the full Senate, which should take place next week, before Carnaval.
Forster – who now heads the diplomatic representation as chargé d’affaires – rated Bolsonaro’s visit to US President Donald Trump in March 2019 as “historic”. In his opinion, the main outcome of the meeting between the two presidents was the change in the US position regarding Brazil’s bid to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
“In the US, there was resistance to the United States endorsing Brazil. At the time, the American President announced firm endorsement for Brazil’s candidacy, as has been proven throughout the ongoing process”, he said.
Stressing that diplomacy cannot be exhausted in the talks between the two heads of the Executive Branch, he said it is essential to strengthen the relationship between the two countries “by using the excellent chemistry” between the two heads of state.
Also as a result of Bolsonaro’s visit to Trump, the diplomat pointed out a special designation as an extra-NATO preferential ally, which according to him, opens the doors to deeper cooperation in the area of defense in Brazil, in the military area. He also spoke of the launching of a pilot project for an American visa program, Global Entry. The initiative simplifies the arrival of frequent Brazilian travelers to US airports.
Regarding the visa waiver that the Brazilian government unilaterally granted to the United States, Forster said that in the first six months of its implementation, there was an increase of approximately 15 percent in tourism from the US to Brazil.
Challenges
Among the challenges Brazil faces, Nestor Forster stressed the need to advance in a private sector demand for something that, according to him, has been dragging on for a long time: an agreement that allows companies, private individuals and people to avoid double taxation. “This would have great reach in terms of facilitating trade between the two countries, increasing the efficiency of trade and all that. It’s something complex, it’s been on the table for a long time, it’s also being examined,” he recalled.
In the Health area, he recalled the cooperation between Brazil and the United States with integration between Brazilian foundations like Fiocruz. Among the challenges are vaccine research for the zika virus and other diseases.
Amazon
Forster called for senators and deputies to engage in what he called “parliamentary diplomacy” and pointed out that he worked during the fires crisis in the Amazon, visiting senators and deputies to show what Brazil was doing to control the situation.
“When we experienced that situation, in the middle of the year, of great concern and repercussion in the press, about the fires, etc., we went there immediately, in short, we set in motion several contacts we have in American society to perform a very specific and intense work with Congress, which is also an echo chamber of society, where we can see the concerns. I have visited several senators, several deputies from both parties. In the House’s case, the majority in the United States today is Democrat, so it is important to visit the chairs of the Environment Committee. These people are very concerned about this issue. And we need to have an open and honest discussion with them, explain what is happening in Brazil, undo overstatements and tackle the issues with a realistic and decisive attitude,” he cautioned.
Yesterday, Forster undertook a pilgrimage through the Senate. He was met by the President of the Senate, David Alcolumbre, and visited several Senators’ offices to introduce himself and garner support for his name to be approved.
In addition to the endorsement he gained from the majority of the Foreign Relations Committee members, he will also undergo another vote in plenary session. Should he also pass the second stage, he will be confirmed as Ambassador.