Brazil’s Ambassador to Georgia on Developing Brazil-Georgian Relations
Interview
H.E. Cicero Martins Garcia, Brazil’s Ambassador to Georgia, is a career diplomat with over 30 years’ experience. We met him to find out the latest on country relations and potential development in areas of mutual interest.
Tell us your impressions of Georgia.
My time in Georgia has been very positive, both professionally and personally. When I come to a [new] country, I read a lot of material for tourists. They all spoke highly about the landscape of Georgia, the food, wine and supra; about the nice people here, so I was prepared; and what surprised me is that this information was not at all exaggerated, it was reality.
How would you characterize the Georgian-Brazilian Diplomatic relations?
I think the relations between Brazil and Georgia have to go much further than they are now. They are kicking off only now, partly because of the economic hardships our countries experienced in the past. 10 years ago we were ready to start, but because of the war of 2008 the economic situation in Georgia was difficult, nor was it so good in Brazil, because of the economic crisis of 2008. Now we’re back to a very good economic position, and so is Georgia; it looks like the recession is over, and for both countries it’s a very good moment to start. The visit to Georgia of the Foreign Minister of Brazil, H.E. Aloysio Nunes Ferreira, on November 16, the first of such a high level authority, was a mark in the bilateral relations.
Which spheres and directions could the two develop more in future?
Last year, Georgia exported $1.3 million to Brazil, while Brazil exported $250 million to Georgia, and although Brazil’s export to Georgia is lower than from China or neigboring countries, the potential is there. Since the independence of Georgia, our political dialogue has been very good. Both Brazil and Georgia believe a lot in multilateralism and our positions are convergent, like respecting the territorial integrities of the countries; like giving good value to the decisions of the General Assembly of the UN and to all the international bodies. In terms of economy, Brazil has to discover Georgian wine! The Brazilian market, which has over 200 million inhabitants, is a very big market for Georgia to explore. This year we had a team of Brazilian journalists from Globo TV visiting Georgia: for 20 days they shot their trip around Georgia; everywhere from Mestia to Kakheti to Kazbegi. The resulting documentary was seen by 45 million viewers in Brazil, so now Brazilians know more about Georgians and that’s very important.
How is Brazil represented in Georgia?
We just organized a week-long festival of Brazilian cinema in Tbilisi at Amirani cinema. It went very well, and we plan to repeat it in future. Next year, a Brazilian trade mission is planning a visit to Georgia, giving a chance for businessmen to get to know Georgia and the possibilities here for them. Although Georgia is a small country, it is strategically located and has a very good ambiance, and from Georgia you can explore all the neighboring markets. There are many fields, such as infrastructure or energy, to be developed, and Brazilians could help.
What can Georgians learn from Brazilians and vice versa?
Music is something I like very much. My wife is a pianist, and I think Brazilians could learn polyphonic singing from Georgians. Georgia has such a high level in music! Georgia is harmony of polyphonic songs and Brazilian music is about rhythm. Something that surprised me positively when I arrived here was the very high level of Georgian classical music as well, with superb musicians and composers.
What do you like to do when not working? Do you have any favourite places in Tbilisi or outside the city?
As a diplomat, you have to attend various receptions, and I attend as many events as I can. There are 35 embassies in Tbilisi and I always try to go to their events, to communicate, to exchange information, and I always go to government events as it’s very important to maintain links and exchange ideas. Out of the ‘office,’ I often go to Vake Park or the Opera and Ballet and often enjoy concerts at the Tbilisi Concert Hall, Jansug Kakhidze Music Center and Georgian National Opera Theater. I’ve visited lots of places outside Tbilisi; I’ve been to Vardzia, Borjomi, Sighnaghi, Batumi, Akhaltsikhe and Gori. Mestia and Ushguli really impressed me; I spent two nights in Mestia and two nights in Ushguli. It was interesting to see how the place had kept its medieval character, a different level of living and civilization in a blend of old and new. That tandem of Mestia and Ushguli touched me the most and I plan to visit Tusheti in future.
What would you recommend foreigners planning to come in Georgia, based on your own experience?
Sometimes you have to give recommendations like not to go to a particular area or not to eat certain foods, or beware of a certain insect, but with Georgia that’s not the case; it’s so hospitable, and a must-explore location! And also- be sure to try the Khachapuri!
Nino Gugunishvili