DHAKA, April 7, 2024 (BSS) - Visiting Brazilian foreign minister Mauro Vieira today said that Brasilia considered Bangladesh's keen interest to become BRICS member "very strongly and positively" as Dhaka shared same principles and positions with the BRICS member states. 

"Bangladesh is the country very close to watch, we shared principles, shared positions ... we will consider it (Inclusion in BRICS) from our side, very strongly and positively," he said. 

Vieira was speaking at a joint media briefing with his Bangladesh counterpart after a bilateral talk with foreign minister Dr Hasan Mahmud at state guest house Jamuna in the capital.
 
Last year, Bangladesh requested to join the BRICS alliance, comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, that formally established in 2009 to establish economic and political equilibrium among powerful global nations. 

The Brazilian Foreign Minister affirmed that Bangladesh, as an emerging voice of the Global South, could offer substantial contributions to BRICS on a number of issues.

The Brazilian Foreign Minister today arrived here on a two-day official visit to further strengthen the bilateral and commercial ties with Bangladesh.

Regarding the talks with Bangladesh foreign minister, Vieira said they discussed all issues and try to figure out new ways and avenues of cooperation in the new areas of balanced trades. 

He welcomed Bangladesh's interest in reaching a MERCOSUR-Bangladesh Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).

During the meeting both Bangladesh and Brazil sides concurred that this endeavour would enhance business opportunities and foster private sector engagements between Bangladesh, Brazil and other MERCOSUR state parties, significantly contributing to the promotion of South-South cooperation.

The two foreign ministers expressed their resolve to work toward the commencement of the process for negotiating a MERCOSUR-Bangladesh PTA at the earliest opportunity.

MERCOSUR, or the Southern Common Market, is an economic and political bloc originally comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

 Bolivia, previously an associate member, gained full membership in 2023.

After the meeting the two foreign ministers signed an agreement on Technical Cooperation between Bangladesh and Brazil.

This is the first-ever foreign minister-level visit from Brazil.