President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday signed a series of military agreements to strengthen military ties.
The agreements include the manufacture in Brazil of 50 helicopters and five nuclear-powered submarines, and the construction of a shipyard and a naval base, all with French technology, for Brazil's armed forces.
Lula hailed the importance of the military agreements, saying they will help Brazil "become a nation with significant military power."
"Brazil must assume its greatness," the president said.
Lula added that France "not only offered the equipment but also agreed to build them in Brazil and to transfer the technology."
Sarkozy said the decision to transfer French military technology was based on the belief that "Brazil has great potential to promote the peace and security."
The two presidents also signed an action plan to orientate future bilateral ties with agreements on aerospace, education and biodiversity.
Sarkozy arrived in Rio do Janeiro on Monday to attend the Second Brazil-EU Summit.
Source:Xinhua
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