Brazil’s embassy in Turkey marks National Day

By Cansu Dikme

ANKARA

The Brazil embassy in Ankara Friday held a reception in commemoration of the country’s annual National Day.

Brazilian Ambassador to Turkey Eduardo Riccardo Gradilone Neto and his wife Diva Cristina hosted the event to mark the country’s 196th anniversary of independence, attended by foreign diplomats and businesspeople.

Among the guests were Brazilian Vice Minister of Agriculture Eumar Novacki and Suleyman Inan Ozyildiz, the head of the Americas Department of the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

The Brazilian and Turkish national anthems were played. During the reception, the guests enjoyed the traditional cuisine of Brazil, as well.

In his speech at the event, Neto highlighted the "strategic relations" between Ankara and Brasilia since 2010.

“We will relaunch many projects to make the most of the vast potential of a Brazil-Turkey closer cooperation,” he said.

Ozyildiz, for his part, said the two countries have lately strengthened their relations in various areas, primarily in economy.

He said the direct flights between Turkey and the Latin American country “have significantly increased the bilateral relations in the fields of economy, culture, and tourism.”

The Sept. 7 marks Brazil's declaration of independence from Portugal in 1822.