St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Brazil have signed a visa-free travel agreement allowing for free movement of their nationals from mid-November.
Foreign Affairs Minister Camillo Gonsalves told legislators that nationals of both countries will from Nov. 15 be able to visit each other, visa-free, for up to 90 days in the first instance, renewable for up to 180 days.
“Of course, this is for tourism purposes. If you are going as a student, or if you are going to work, there are still requirements that you will have to fulfil,” Gonsalves said.
He said that Brazil is a footballing mecca and is also regarded as a carnival capital.
“But, in addition to soccer and samba, there is quite a bit more to Brazil that is of interest to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and of interest to the world,” Gonsalves said, noting that Brazil is the world’s fifth largest country, both in terms of size and population.
He also noted that over half of Brazil’s 200 million citizens are of African descent, making it one of the largest countries of people of African descent in the world.
“It is a top 10 economy; Brazil is ranked seventh in the world — its economy, and has a GDP of two and a half trillion US dollars and it is one of what they calls the BRICS — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — the largest and most influential emerging economies,” Gonsalves said.
He said Brazil has a unique culture, rich history and bright future, and will host the Olympic games in August 2016.
“And Vincentians can now plan their trip to Brazil to cheer on our own athletes and regional athletes without having to worry about the impediment of getting a visa for the Olympic Games,” the foreign affairs minister said.
Gonsalves said that Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has repeatedly enunciated the “Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean (ABC) policy” and that the closest link between the Caribbean and West Africa is Brazil.
“And he has said repeatedly that we have to try to forge strong links of transportation, of culture, of communication, not only with the hundred-plus million members of the African diaspora who live in Brazil, but, of course, the entire continent of Africa. And, the logical place, is not for us to go north to come south to Africa, but to go south to Brazil and then simply then go across east to visit the motherland,” Sen. Gonsalves said.
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