Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Brazil to Armenia Marcela Maria Nicodemos answered NEWS.am questions.

Q.: Mrs. Ambassador, what are Brazil’s interests in South Caucasus region? Do you have political interests in the region or they are confined to economic cooperation?

A.: Brazil has close links with Armenia, due mainly to the presence in the country of a not so large but very influential Armenian community. Therefore, the Brazilian Embassy in Yerevan, which was opened in 2006, was Brazil’s first Embassy in the South Caucasus region. Since the opening of the Embassy, the economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries has experienced a significant increase. But we consider there is still a lot more that can be done. For instance, we would like to see a more expressive presence of Brazilian businesses in Armenia and we hope this could be achieved in a near future. As regarding Brazil’s political interests in the region, for geographical reasons, the South Caucasus is not an area of immediate influence for Brazil. Nevertheless, being an important player in the international sphere, Brazil follows attentively the development of events in the region. We support the process conducive to the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations as well as the peaceful solution for the conflict with Azerbaijan.

Q.: Currently G8 membership expansion, intending to involve Brazil is much spoken about. How can it benefit Brazil and how it will contribute to the solution of global problems?

A.: The recent expansion of the former G-8 membership into the G-20, in order to include emerging and developing countries, is a positive step in the direction of global governance. Brazil has always supported the opening of international structures and organizations to encompass as many countries as possible. We consider that our participation in G-20, together with several other countries, will benefit not only Brazil but also other developing countries, since this is an opportunity for more democratic participation in international forum and for more transparent decision making in issues that affect the entire international community. It is Brazil’s expectation that the creation of the G-20 will give voice to the most pressing problems faced by developing nations, like, for instance, the eradication of poverty.

Q.: Like in many countries there is an Armenian community in Brazil. What role do Armenians play out there? How are they integrated into country’s life?

A.: As I mentioned before, the Armenian community in Brazil is not very big – we estimate that between 25.000 to 30.000 Armenians or people from Armenian origins live in the country, mainly in the State of São Paulo, that is the richest in Brazil. But the Armenian community is very influential. Among the Armenian community you can find bankers and financiers, business people, physicians, university professors, several Ambassadors and diplomats, artists and so on. Actually, the Armenians are found in every major activity in Brazilian social, economic, political and cultural life, which is proof of their total integration into the Brazilian society. At the same time, the community of Armenian descent is very keen at maintaining their ties with Armenia. They have Armenian schools, where the language is taught, the Armenian Church, the AGBU, the Armenian Club and so forth. Recently, the President of the Armenian Fund in Brazil, Mr. Ochin Mosditchian, visited Yerevan, where he inaugurated, on behalf the community, two floors in the infectious deceases ward of the Nork Marash Hospital, whose repair was financed by the Brazilian-Armenians. Also, we had this year the visit of one famous Brazilian actor of Armenian origin, Mr. Stepan Nercessian, for the screening of his most recent movie – “Ballroom”. Mr. Nercessian was received by the top Armenian authorities, from President Sargsyan, to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Diaspora and the Catholicos of all Armenians.

Q.: What is Brazil’s role in Organization of American States? Can it have the same role as EU for European countries?

A.: The Organization of American States (OAS) is a totally different entity from the European Union. It could be said that it is the United Nations of the Americas. Actually, it is considered a regional body within the United Nations system. Similar organizations are the Organization of African Unity, the Arab League of States and the Commonwealth of Independent States, for instance. The OAS is essentially a political body, whose main goal, according to article 1 of its Charter, is to achieve an order of peace and justice, to promote solidarity, to strengthen collaboration, and to defend sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence for all the countries in the Americas. Brazil attaches great importance to the regional organization and considers it the appropriate forum for dealing with and for presenting solutions for regional problems. Of course, being the largest Latin American country, Brazil plays an important role in the Organization. However, Brazil’s influence within the Organization arises from its independent foreign policy and from its respect to the principles of international law. No country in the OAS has veto power.

Q.: What is your opinion about Turkey’s possible EU membership, that does not recognize Armenian Genocide and closed Armenian-Turkish border? Will it assist the Armenian-Turkish relations’ normalization, or should the mentioned problems be solved before joining EU?

A.: Brazil considers that Turkey’s EU membership is a matter that concerns mainly the European Union member States and Turkey. It is not up to Brazil to express opinion about an issue that falls within the sovereign right of the EU. We can only indicate our expectation that the decisions reached are in the best interest of the countries or group of countries involved as well as in benefit of the international community as a whole. As I already mentioned, Brazil firmly supports the process of normalization of relations currently under way between Armenia and Turkey, for we are convinced that the best way to solve differences is through dialogue.

Q.: And one more question that is above politics. What is the secret of Brazilian football success?

A.: Well, I don’t think there is a secret. And, if there was one, maybe I would keep it to myself. But, jokes apart, the only thing I can say for sure is that football is a passion in Brazil. Everybody loves football in the country: men, women, young, old, rich and poor. And maybe that’s the secret: to do something really well you really have to love it.