Stung by the NSA's reach, Brazil and Germany prepare for closer ties

[unhappycamper]

http://www.dw.com/en/stung-by-the-nsas-reach-brazil-and-germany-prepare-for-closer-ties/a-18648528

They're making a big public appearance: Next week, Chancellor Merkel and half of her cabinet are visiting Brazil for their first-ever government consultations. Brazil is now the third most powerful emerging nation.

Stung by the NSA's reach, Brazil and Germany prepare for closer ties
Astrid Prange
13.08.2015

The focus of the trip is global goods and global responsibility. According to information from German government circles, Berlin and Brasilia plan to issue a joint declaration on climate policy after their two-day consultations on August 19 and 20.

This is how both countries intend to position themselves in the UN climate summit in December in Paris. "Brazil is a wonderful link in the South-South Dialogue," explains Felix Dane, head of the foreign office of Brazil's Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) - a German political foundation associated with Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU). Brazil plays an important role at the climate summit because it can influence the countries of the South.

Brazil is the third emerging country, after India and China, with which Germany has held governmental consultations. Merkel will be accompanied by her foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and eight other members of her cabinet.

Closing ranks against the NSA

In addition to cooperating in environmental policy, an enhanced cooperation in data protection services is in the planning. According to information from the capital, Brasilia, a regular exchange will be scheduled between cyber policy representatives from Germany's and Brazil's foreign ministries to help improve defense mechanisms against US eavesdropping attempts.