TIRANA, Mar 1 – The world’s sixth largest economy and a growing South American giant, Brazil now has an embassy in Tirana and relations are at the highest point they have ever been. In an interview with Tirana Times, Brazilian Ambassador Ruda Gonzales Seferin explains his country’s successes and speaks about relations with Albania.
Tirana Times:Brazil and Albania, regardless of the asymmetry in their size and nature as states, as well as the considerable distance in between them, have a relationship which goes back in history. What is the actual account of relationships between Brazil and Albania?
Mr. Ruda Gonzales Seferin:In 2011, four bilateral agreements were signed, which is more than what was achieved in 50 years of formal diplomatic relationship between the two countries. The reciprocal opening of embassies in Brasilia and Tirana will certainly assure that this auspicious momentum will not be lost. Following the visit of Vice-Prime Minister Haxhinasto to Brasilia and S䯠Paulo, last year, Mrs. Jozefina Topalli will be received by her counterpart in Brasilia, most probably next March. Another opportunity for official contacts will come up in June 2012, when Rio de Janeiro will host the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, probably the most important UN Conference regarding social, economic and environmental themes, in which hopefully Albania will be represented at the highest level.
Tirana Times:What was the drive to establish the Embassy in Tirana? And what is the level of operations so far politically-speaking, as well as in the economic, cultural and social realm?
Mr. Ruda Gonzales Seferin:The decision of establishing embassies in both capitals was taken in 2008, during a meeting between former President Lula da Silva and Prime Minister Sali Berisha, at the sidelines of the Olympics Opening Ceremony, in Beijing. The Albanian embassy in Brasilia was established in 2009 and the Brazilian embassy in Tirana was opened in 2010. These developments were actually a re-launching of the bilateral relations, meaning that many possibilities are open. The political dialogue has already begun. Mr. Edmond Haxhinasto visited Brasilia last year and a memorandum of understanding on political consultations was signed. Another memorandum, on economic cooperation sets a framework under which stakeholders will be able to intensify trade, investment and innovation. Also, a framework was established to promote cooperation between the diplomatic academies. In February 2012, an agreement on air transport was signed. As for cultural matters, two initiatives worth mentioning: the Brazilian Film Festival in Tirana, which took place in September 2011, and the translating into Albanian of two seminal Brazilian works on Sociology and History, scheduled to be launched during the next Tirana Book Fair.
Tirana Times:With Brazil being an important global actor on the rise, whatlessons can it provide to a small country such as ours in order to develop its modest economy?
Mr. Ruda Gonzales Seferin:Differences on scale, history and economic factors are perhaps too big as to draw lessons, at least from a macroeconomic viewpoint. Brazil is nowthe 6thbiggest economy of the world, just ahead of the United Kingdom, has 190 million people and a surface roughly equivalent to all countries in Europe. Still, it is worth mentioning that Brazil had to find its own path to economic growth and development and so should Albania. This is much better than being dependent on developing agencies or other kinds of help. The best help is to help itself. This cannot be done without having a long term strategy of building a national industry, a competitive agriculture and good services. Brazil started to build seriously its national industry in the 1950s, when the first steel companies and carmakers were established. Until the 80s it was hard to find any product not “made in Brazil” in our country. It took also a long way until we became the agricultural power we are today. We developed local technologies, local products, and introduced seeds totally new in Brazil (such as soybean). Today we are the world’ s first exporter of soy products, chicken, beef, coffee, orange and sugar and also export sophisticated products such as buses, airplanes. How could we do it? One good idea is to look for non-traditional partners, not to be dependent on only a small range of countries. Why put all the eggs in one basket? It was clever that we did not do so. The same goes to Albania. I suppose Albania should find its own industry specializations and cash crops to export. Why can’t Albania export more to Brazil? Brazilians for instance are great beer drinkers (the 5thmarket in the world) but hop does not grow in Brazil. In Albania it does. Can’t Albania improve its production and export? Another point, a highest priority to Brazil, is the idea of sustainable development. Based on this concept we protect the biggest rainforest of the planet. We don’t have to destroy the nature in order to be developed. In the case of Albania, I believe ecotourism could be a very good strategy.
Tirana Times:What has been the key to Brazil’s economic success? Can this successful model be exported to smaller countries such as Albania?
Mr. Ruda Gonzales Seferin:Is there a universal prescription? Does an economic model that worked for a period of time, in one or more countries, suit others, under different conditions and circumstances? Two decades or so ago, very successful business organizational methods generated a myriad of how-to-do manuals that are gathering dust on bookshelves today. Privatization and minimal state were undisputable solutions in the 90s for all countries, especially the peripheral ones. This dogma crumbled when the 2008 financial crisis erupted and the state was called to avoid complete disaster. Brazil weathered unscathed the crisis because heterodox measures, against the international mainstream, were adopted: instead of austerity, the government incentivized consumption. Instead of injecting funds in industries directly threatened by the crisis, as carmakers, taxes on smaller cars were suspended, causing a soar in sales. At the same time, poverty alleviation programs were not reduced, but increased instead, stimulating consumer goods production and consequently generating jobs. Indeed we developed good social programs such as the “Bolsa-Fama”. By this program, which started in 2004, 13 million families, among the poorest, receive a small monthly financial support from the government. In return, they must send their children to school. With this program extreme poverty was reduced from 12% to 4%. Most important is to be adequate to the reality of the people. When former President Lula came to power, he developed a research to find out what the people wanted from his government. With great surprise, the first answer was not “jobs” or “better schools”, but electricity. He realized a lot of people in the countryside had no access to a simple thing such as energy. So he created the program “Luz para Todos” (“Light for All”), which brought electricity to 14.5 million people so far. Is this model exportable? Can it be replicated in smaller countries, with small domestic markets and limited natural resources? I don’t have an answer for that. Economics is not an exact science.
Tirana Times:One of the biggest challenges in a vast country like Brazil is fighting corruption. What is the strategy of the government and has it been effective so far?
Mr. Ruda Gonzales Seferin: The Brazilian society is increasingly less tolerant of corruption and presses to extirpate it wherever it is spotted. Strict accountability mechanisms have been built and government’s transparency websites allow everyone to scrutinize how public money is being spent. A new law, named “Clean Record Bill”, entered into force last week. The law prevents any person to stand for elections if he or she has been convicted forcorruptionor other crimes, including electoral ones, as vote buying. The extraordinary popularity of President Dilma Rousseff is due in part to her intransigence on corruption. Officials at all levels, even ministers, have been dismissed for wrongdoings or were forced to resign in face of obscure activities. In2010,more than 400 public servants wereexpelled from servicefor illegal practices. It is not by chance that Brazil was chosen to held in November 2012 the 15thedition of the International Anti-Corruption Conference, with the theme “Mobilising People: Connecting Agents of Change”.
Tirana Times:Is Brazil concerned about the current EU economic crisis? Does Brazil intend to lend a hand by increasing its economic presence in Europe?
Mr. Ruda Gonzales Seferin:Actually, all actors in the international arena are concerned. As a member of the G20, Brazil participates of the deliberations that take place in that forum to tackle the crisis. As for a financial contribution to alleviate the European troubles, Brazil has already been signaled that it might be evaluated in the framework of a reformed IMF.TheBRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) consider that the presentfinancial crisis,which began in developed countries in 2008, reinforcesthe urgency of reformingthe IMF and otherfinancial institutions so as to reflect the growing role of developing countries in the world economy.Brazil is discussing Europe’s situation with the other BRICS countries and examining the possibility of a concerted action.
Tirana Times:Do Brazilians and Albanians havethingsin common?
Mr. Ruda Gonzales Seferin:Maybe tolerance is one of most remarkable things we have in common. Worship freedom is not just a provision of the Brazilian constitution. Coexistence of religions and creeds is peaceful. Ecumenical ceremonies, with two or more celebrants representing different religions are commonplace. Hospitality and generosity are virtues that Albanians and Brazilians also share. Another aspect we share is the importance of family in one’s life and also the joy of life, regardless of hardship. Maybe it has something to do with the good climate – Brazilians, as Albanians, tend to smile very easily, to tell jokes to one another, to speak to strangers on the bus, to be very spontaneous and creative, to propose simple solutions no one else thought of, to show solidarity and help people you don’t know in dramatic situations. Brazilians, like Albanians, love their country, but can be at the same time very critical too.
Tirana Times:Brazil has been able to transform the potential of its immigrants into an asset of development. What would you say are the key elements for such a success sinceAlbaniahas been trying to do the same for years now
Mr. Ruda Gonzales Seferin:Historically, immigrants have integrated very easily in Brazil and contributed to the prosperity of our country. Immigrants (mainly from Italy, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Japan, Syria and Lebanon)that arrived in great numbers in the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth cultivate their traditions, but only as a minor trace of identity, not an element of resistance, defiance or self-preservation. More recent migrants follow the same pattern of assimilation. Maybe assimilation is not a correct word to explain the process, since the newcomers adhered voluntarily and gladly to the Brazilian culture which was, conversely, enriched by immigrants’ contribution. You just have to look at the family names of our writers, politicians, businessmen, farmers, professors and artists or just browse the telephone directory. In other words, “integration”, differently to what happens in Western Europe, is no issue in Brazil. On the other hand, many Brazilian Immigrants are now returning home (from Europe, US and Japan), some of them with savings. There are special programs of advice to these Brazilians, such as how to open a small business and be successful.
Tirana Times:What is the current understanding and perspective of Brazil on the Balkans? And wouldyour countryconsider recognizing the independence of Kosova soon?
Mr. Ruda Gonzales Seferin:Peace, stability and prosperity in the Balkans are crucial to the European continent and the world. Some of the countries in the region are still facing the aftermaths of a painful transition and are trying to accommodate to the new political map that emerged from the Yugoslav succession wars. In the Balkans or in any other part of world is in the interest of Brazil that relations between states evolve in harmony with the principles of the UN Charter and according to international law. The internal reform processes of the Balkan states towards European integration are very positive and are enabling them to reorganize domestically and to deal with complex procedures in all aspects of international life. Brazil welcomes these developments and is prepared to contribute, if the relevant agents so demand, to the advancement of the Balkan peoples.
As for the Brazilian view on the Kosovo unilateral declaration of independence our positionis strictly guided by legal principles. It implies necessarily the Security Council Resolution 1244, the only legal framework applicable to this question. Consequently, Brazil keeps favoring and encouraging a solution based on negotiation and agreement between the two parties.
