By Prensa Latina
Madrid : Representatives of the governments of Brazil and Spain are expected to discuss in Madrid a bilateral dispute on immigration triggered by the holding of Brazilians who enter the European country.
According to an official note issued by the Spanish Foreign Ministry, as of Tuesday a technical meeting will be held “on the application of rules of admission for citizens from both countries.”
The host delegation will be led by Maria Jesus Figa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
The meeting was agreed two weeks ago by Foreign ministers Celso Amorim (Brazil) and Miguel Angel Moratinos (Spain), in view of the mutual increase in detentions of travellers upon arrival at airports in both countries.
According to press reports in Madrid, at least 800 Brazilians have been held in Spanish airports so far this year because of irregularities in their travelling papers to enter Spain.
Meanwhile, Brazilian authorities have started to apply stricter immigration controls for foreigners.
In remarks quoted today by Brazilian O Globo daily, Amorim said that the meeting in Madrid will not lead to a final solution of the problem because current European standards for the entry of immigrants are stricter.
He added that his delegation will request from Spanish authorities “a minimum of restraint and respect in treating Brazilians in order to prevent such obvious injustices from happening again.”