Brazilian-French Relations

Brazil is France’s largest trade and economic partner in Latin America and the fourth most important partner outside the OECD . Over 500 French companies are located in Brazil, their number is over 250,000 people ^[9] . In 2009, total trade between the two countries amounted to 6.5 billion US dollars ^[7] .

Brazil is France’s leading partner in Latin America for cultural, scientific and technical cooperation. A total of 2150 students are enrolled in three French secondary schools ( São Paulo , Rio de Janeiro , Brasilia ); 1000 of which are French. The Frances Alliance in Brazil is the oldest and most extensive in the world (74 institutions in 52 cities). Brazil, through its past and present ties with France, is eligible for membership in the Francophonie International Organization. Both countries are also the largest Catholic countries in terms of population on their continents ^[10] .

Brazil and France have a common border of 673 km, which runs between the state of Amapa and French Guiana ^[11] . Cross-border cooperation between the two countries is developing, thanks to this, it was possible to economically develop French Guiana, to respond in time to the concerns of both parties about various cross-border disputes, to encourage the development of trade and tourist trips. France also received, at the initiative of Brazil, observer status in the Amazon Pact . The construction of a bridge over the Oyapok River allowed the construction of a road between the cities of Cayenne and Macapa ^[12] . In May 2012, Brazil deployed its border troops on the border with French Guiana ^[13] .

Defense cooperation between countries has undergone significant changes in recent years. On July 15, 2005, Brazil and France signed a series of agreements on military cooperation in areas such as aviation and advanced military technologies ^{[14] [15]} . In 2008, both countries signed the Status of Forces Agreement ^[16] . On December 23, 2008, Brazil and France established an official strategic alliance. ^[2]

On December 24, 2008, Brazil and France signed a major defense treaty ^[17] . The Brazilian government purchased 50 Eurocopter EC725 Cougar helicopters, a nuclear submarine, and four Scorpin submarines from the French government for about $ 12 billion. Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva and French President Nicolas Sarkozy signed an agreement to sell this military property in Rio de Janeiro ^[18] . All these contracts are signed subject to the transfer of production technologies and offer significant prospects for participation for the Brazilian industry ^[19] . Helicopters will be built by the Brazilian company Helibras in partnership with Eurocopter . Four Scorpen-class submarines will be built in Brazil at the new shipyard by Odebrecht with the support of the French company DCNS in Itagua , Rio de Janeiro. In September 2009, countries announced the creation of a joint venture between Agrale and Renault Trucks for the production of military vehicles ^[20] .

On February 21, 1963, the Brazilian fleet intercepted a French fishing vessel off the coast of Pernambuco , and the French Navy also entered the area to protect the vessel.

France is Brazil's second leading scientific partner, after the United States of America . Brazil is France’s leading scientific partner in Latin America. The two countries cooperate in such scientific areas as climate change, sustainable economic development, biodiversity conservation, technological innovation and genome research ^[21] .

• French Brazilians
• Brazilians in French Guiana