“AS WOMEN, WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY”

04/09/2025

BRAZILIAN AMBASSADOR GILDA MOTTA SANTOS NEVES

BRAZILIAN AND TURKISH WOMEN VOTED TEN YEARS BEFORE EUROPEANS

Brazil’s National Day was celebrated with a reception. Hosting the evening, Brazil’s first female ambassador to Türkiye, Gilda Motta Santos Neves, said in her speech: “As women, we have come a long way. In Brazil and Türkiye, women voted in general elections in 1934–35. This was the first step, and it happened ten years before France, Italy, or Japan.”

M. Ferhat YÜKSEL

The National Day reception, held at CerModern, was hosted by Brazil’s newly appointed Ambassador to Ankara, Gilda Motta Santos Neves. Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Zeki Levent Gümrükçü, diplomatic mission representatives, military officials, bureaucrats, politicians, and many guests attended the event.

167 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP
Ambassador Neves, the first female Brazilian envoy to Türkiye, reiterated in her remarks: “As women, we have come a long way. In Brazil and Türkiye, women voted in 1934–35. This was the first step, and it took place ten years before France, Italy, or Japan.” She emphasized the importance of women’s participation in the democratic process. She underlined the 167-year-old friendship between the two countries, noting that relations have steadily developed since the first agreement signed in 1858 between the Ottoman Empire and the Empire of Brazil.

THE FAMOUS TURKISH COFFEE IS ACTUALLY BRAZILIAN
Pointing out that the bilateral trade volume is expected to reach $6 billion this year, the Ambassador stated that Brazilian companies have invested about $1 billion in Türkiye, while Turkish companies have invested in Brazil at a similar scale. “Seventy-two percent of the coffee Türkiye imports comes from Brazil. I jokingly say the famous Turkish coffee is actually Brazilian,” Neves remarked.

BEEF’S ROLE IN REDUCING FOOD INFLATION
Neves also noted that Türkiye imports around 180,000 live animals from Brazil each year and that processed beef could soon enter the Turkish market. Stressing that Brazilian beef is world-renowned, she said: “One hundred and ninety countries buy meat from us. Hopefully, Türkiye will be the next. I believe Brazilian beef products can enter the Turkish market at shelf prices 30 percent lower than what we see here today. This would have a positive impact on reducing food inflation.”

BRAZIL HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE
Speaking at the reception, Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Zeki Levent Gümrükçü emphasized that Brazil has always held a special place for Türkiye in Latin America. He stated that Türkiye has been pursuing an active outreach policy toward Latin America for 25 years: “What started as a simple outreach effort has now turned into a solid pillar of our foreign policy.” Highlighting the continuous growth of economic relations, Gümrükçü said the defense and aviation industries will play a key role in the future of bilateral ties. He also recalled the popularity of Turkish TV series in Brazil and the influence of Brazilian football players in Türkiye, noting: “Our cultural ties further strengthen our relationship.”