The Netherlands and Brazil will continue working towards a world free of nuclear arms, foreign minister Maxime Verhagen said on Tuesday while visiting Brazil. Both countries believe that disarmament, non-proliferation and the application of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes should be the cornerstones of the international strategy.

Mr Verhagen was speaking in the capital city, Brasília, following discussions with his Brazilian counterpart, Celso Amorim.

‘Countries must ensure that nuclear technologies can be used for peaceful purposes only and that they are only exported to third countries under the strictest of conditions,’ Mr Verhagen said.

As one of the world’s emerging economies, Brazil has a growing influence on international relations. ‘The Netherlands and Europe see Brazil as an important partner in tackling global problems,’ the foreign minister added. ‘Besides having share values and interests we also have shared responsibilities.’

The Netherlands and Brazil already work together at international level to promote respect for human rights, including by combating violence against girls and pressing for homosexuality to be decriminalised.

The countries also agree on the need to reform the United Nations and international financial institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank. The Netherlands wants to see a better reflection of the international balance of power in the Security Council and envisions a clear role for Brazil.

In the next few days Mr Verhagen will be visiting São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, together with transport minister Camiel Eurlings and a delegation representing 30 Dutch businesses in the transport and logistics sector.

Brazil is not only a global player in economic terms but is also the Netherlands’ most important trading partner in Latin America. The Port of Rotterdam is Brazil’s gateway to the European Union.

The ministers are meeting with representatives of the Brazilian government and members of the business community to discuss further cooperation in the biofuels, energy and ports sectors.



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