Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met yesterday with the Brazilian Minister of Defense, Paulo Sérgio Nogueira de Oliveira, at the 15th Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas (CDMA), the Western Hemisphere's biennial premier hemispheric ministerial for strategic-level engagement with defense and security officials in the Americas. The meeting took place in Brasilia, Brazil.
During their meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the U.S.-Brazil defense relationship and discussed efforts to strengthen bilateral defense ties, including through U.S. and Brazilian military exercises, including in the South Atlantic. Secretary Austin reiterated the U.S. commitment to deepen regional cooperation and congratulated Minister Paulo Sérgio on Brazil's longstanding efforts in international peacekeeping.
Secretary Austin noted that the United States and Brazil share deep democratic traditions and values, and he expressed his confidence in the strength of Brazil's democracy.
Secretary Austin thanked Minister Paulo Sérgio for hosting the Conference, which is the only regular meeting between the Defense Ministers of the Americas.
Both leaders reiterated their commitment to supporting the security, stability, and prosperity of the Western Hemisphere and to building an even more capable defense relationship that is based on a shared foundation of common interests and values.