Bulgarian Delegation First Welcomed by Brazil's New President Dilma Rousseff

Dilma Rousseff broke the protocol in order to welcome Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov two days before she was supposed to. Photo by noticias.uol.com.br

Dilma Rousseff, Brazil's new President, who is of Bulgarian origin, broke the protocol and welcomed the Bulgarian state delegation two days before her formal presidential inauguration.

Rousseff, whose father was Bulgarian immigrant Petar Rusev, welcomed the Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov "with a big smile and a hearty handshake", according to the special correspondent of Bulgarian channel bTV.

The Bulgarian delegation including Borisov, Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov and Transport and IT Minister Alexander Tsvetkov, was first welcomed by Brazil's new Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota, until recently Brazil's Ambassador to the USA.

"Dilma has given us an extremely warm welcome, the most important thing is that she has not forgotten her roots!" Bulgarian Prime Minister Borisov commented after the meeting.

Major specific topics of the talks included partnerships in the construction of Brazilian railways, which have not been fully developed yet, and cooperation in the field of IT.

The possibility of opening in Bulgaria a plant of Embraer SA, the Brazilian aerospace conglomerate which is the fourth largest plane manufacturer in the world, was also on the table, but, according to Bulgarian PM, "it first has to happen before we can brag about it."

Borisov has described his first meeting with Dilma Rousseff as extremely important and fruitful.

Brazilian media have demonstrated huge interest in the Bulgarian state delegation, with local journalists practicing the pronunciation of Borisov's name to the last minute before the meeting.

Dilma has explicitly thanked the Bulgarian media for their interest in her during her presidential campaign.

During their meeting, Prime Minister Borisov did present Dilma with special gifts he brought from Bulgaria – a detailed family tree of her Bulgarian ancestors drafted by the Regional History Museum in Gabrovo, her father's birthplace; a replica of a golden deer head from the Panagyurishte Treasure, the most impressive Bulgarian treasure from Ancient Thrace; and a portrait photo of Vana Ruseva, the aunt of Dilma Vana Rousseff, after whom the new Brazilian President was named.

Dilma has in turn presented Bulgarian PM Borisov with a semi-precious stone, a symbol of power, virtue, friendship, and success.

Dilma's early welcome of the Bulgarian delegation is considered a great honor by Borisov. He will be the only EU state leader together with Spanish Prince Felipe and the Prime Minister of Portugal to be present at the inauguration of the 36th Brazilian President on January 1, 2010.

Because of Bulgaria's special place in the inauguration, during the event Borisov will read a special address to Dilma on behalf of the President of the EU Council, Herman Van Rompuy.

Over the fall of 2010, Rousseff's rise to prominence in Brazil and her election to the presidency have led to a "Dilma fever" in Bulgaria causing many Bulgarians and the Bulgarian media to focus their attention on Brazil and Latin America.

Many in Bulgaria hope that Dilma's Bulgarian origin will help boost the economic and other ties between Bulgaria and Brazil.

Rousseff will replace Brazil's popular President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was elected in 2002.

A total of 47 world leaders have confirmed their attendance at the inauguration of Brazilian President-elect Dilma Rousseff, Brazil's first woman president.

More than 12 heads of state have announced their attendance at the investiture on Saturday, including the presidents of Venezuela, Bolivia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Paraguay, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry said.

The list also includes U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Prince Felipe of Spain, South Korean Prime Minister Chung Un-chan, and the president of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, along with other African and European figures

The inaugural activities on Jan. 1 are scheduled to begin at 14:30 local time, with a convertible car taking Rousseff along an open area in front of governmnent buildings, known as Explanada de los Ministerios.

To mark the fact that it is the first time a woman will take office, the Palmares Cultural Foundation has organized a program to honor the women of the nation.

Photos of 36 notable Brazilian women and brief biographies will adorn the route to be followed by the president-elect to Planalto Palace, where she will receive the ceremonial sash from outgoing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Rousseff will then address the people as first woman president.

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