By Duncan Mackay
December 5 – Brazil and Germany have signed a cooperation agreement for the 2014 World Cup, it has been announced.
The agreement, which also covers the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics which are due to be staged in Rio de Janeiro, provides the expansion and modernisation of infrastructure in Brazil, and the transfer of experience in public security, acquired by Germany for hosting 2006 World Cup.
The new deal was announced after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.
It follows a similar cooperation deal that Lula signed last month with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Brazil’s ‘Project 2014/2016’ plans to modernise the country’s ports and airports and transport system as well as tighten security.
Germany is Brazil’s principal trading partner in Europe, with two-way trade worth nearly €18 billion (£16 billion)
German companies hope to win major construction orders when Brazil spends the equivalent of €20 billion (£18 billion) soon on new infrastructure, including venues for the two huge sports events.
Merkel said: “We will teach what Brazil wants to learn.
“It is important that there is cooperation between fans and police.”
She said officers from all countries that participated in the 2006 World Cup went to Germany to support the safety of the the 2014 World Cup.
Merkel also cited the transmission of the World Cup games on giant screens mounted on the streets of the cities that hosted the event, which could be done also in Brazil in 2014.
President Lula admitted “problems generated by social issues”, but defended Brazil as host of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.
He attributed the success of World Cup to the “extraordinary nature of the Brazilian people”, but joked that the outcome of the final match may cause “a wee problem” on security.
Lula said: “We have the trauma of 1950 [World Cup], when we beat all the teams but we lost to Uruguay in the final.
“[In 2014] If we are in good situation, and lose in the final, I do not know how fans will behave.”
But he is confident that Brazil will put on two events that will enhance its international reputation.
He said: “We want to put on an exemplary World Cup and an exemplary Olympics.”
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