Asunción, Agencia IP.- Presidents Santiago Peña and Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva met on Monday in Brasilia to officially commence bilateral negotiations regarding Annex C of the Itaipu Binacional, as well as the establishment of the electrical tariff for this year. They announced a forthcoming meeting in the Paraguayan capital.
The meeting addressed «many issues,» as stated by the Paraguayan President, with a primary focus on the Itaipu Binacional hydroelectric plant.
«Brazil is Paraguay’s biggest partner,» said Peña, acknowledging that his Government is ambitious about what collaborative efforts with Brazil can achieve in terms of development for both nations.
During the joint press conference following the meeting, both Presidents highlighted the historic event from August of the previous year when the debt incurred for constructing the binational Itaipu hydroelectric plant on the Paraná River was fully paid off after 50 years.
The Brazilian President emphasized that this historic event allows for the use of resources generated by the hydroelectric plant «to improve the quality of life of the peoples» of both countries, as well as the opportunity to agree on «new investment opportunities with the funds obtained from the sale of energy.»
Lula expressed his «great interest» in conducting «a deep discussion about Annex C» as quickly as possible, aiming for both countries to reach a definitive solution that enables the establishment of new relations in the management of the binational company.
He also mentioned that both countries will continue discussions on the issue of the Itaipu energy tariff, acknowledging existing differences but expressing willingness to find a joint solution.
«In the coming days, we will have another meeting. I have told President Santiago Peña that it is my turn to go to Asunción so that we can continue negotiations and find a definitive solution,» said Lula.
«I want you to know that President Santiago Peña leaves with the certainty that we will build the most harmonious, professional, and political relationship that has ever occurred between the two countries,» he added.
President Peña, on his part, expressed that today’s meeting was crucial, allowing for the clear transmission of Paraguay’s development vision, a process in which Brazil has much to contribute, and also hearing the position of the Brazilian Government.
«I am convinced that in the coming years, during my term, we will work on a constructive agenda that will allow us to make historic milestones in the relations between our peoples,» he concluded.