Switzerland is interested in cultivating regular contacts with Brazil, which is an up-and-coming and increasingly influential actor on the international political scene.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) corresponds to this foreign policy objective.

It was approved by the Federal Council on 25 June 2008 and has now been signed by Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey and by the Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, and creates the framework for a strategic partnership between Switzerland and Brazil, i.e. for a deepening of the political dialogue and for closer cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Relations between the two countries are very good and have intensified in recent years, particularly in the economic field.

The aim of the agreement is to intensify cooperation in the area of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, in science and research, in cooperation with third countries and in the framework of the UN, for example in the promotion of human rights.