French President and President in office of the European Council Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Rio on Monday morning for a two-day official visit, during which he will participate in the Brazil-European Union Summit and sign several bilateral agreements.
From the airport, the French president headed to the world-renowned Copacabana Palace Hotel, where he will be staying.
In the summit, Sarkozy and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will discuss several matters, such as the international financial crisis; the trade barriers set by the EU to the Brazilian ethanol; Brazil's bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security council; and the planet's climate changes.
On Tuesday, the two presidents will sign a Brazil-France agreement in the areas of defense and nuclear energy, which foresees the construction, in Brazil, of five submarines with French technology, including a nuclear-propelled one.
The agreement foresees the construction of 50 French helicopters in the country, as well as a satellite network over the Amazon Rainforest area and French cooperation in the construction of six nuclear power plants in Brazil.
Sarkozy, who is in his final official trip as President in office of the European Council, is accompanied by France's First Lady Carla Bruni, President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, French Defense Minister Herve Morin, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and about 30 European industrialists.
On Monday night, Sarkozy and his wife will attend an event to launch the Year of France in Brazil, which will promote the French culture in the South American country.
Source:Xinhua
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