Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is interested in Paraguay becoming a more developed country, said President Santiago Pena.

The head of government added at a press conference that the Brazilian leader is an important figure. “Our relations are very positive. We are saying that diplomatic relations between the two states have already turned into a strategic alliance,” the Paraguayan leader recalled, referring to the exchange between the two presidents in New York (USA) during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

Pena linked the talks with Lula at that meeting to the ongoing negotiations on Annex C of the Itaipu Treaty, a hydroelectric plant whose energy is shared by Paraguay and Brazil.

Last Wednesday in New York, the two presidents agreed to meet in Brasilia to discuss the so-called bi-national Itaipu, a hydroelectric plant whose agreement will be discussed by the authorities of both countries, as well as other issues of interest, such as the Corredor Bioceánico (Bioceanic Corridor).

According to Pena, Brazil sees that a developed Paraguay has a positive impact on strengthening Brazil itself, and Lula is willing to work on an agenda that includes trade and security issues.

“I am very satisfied with the dialogue we are having and I think it will be very satisfactory for both sides,” stressed the Paraguayan leader.

Annex C of the Itaipu Treaty, which describes the framework for financing and providing services to the power plant, is recognised as regulating the construction and use of the enterprise, which is owned and operated by two countries with different economies, as reported by Prensa Latina, a partner of TV BRICS.

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