BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden says a new era in Brazil-United States relations should begin in 2013 with stronger trade ties and closer cooperation in education and science.
Biden made his remarks Friday after meeting with President Dilma Rousseff and Vice President Michel Temer on the last leg of his three-day visit to Brazil.
He said President Obama wanted him to emphasize the "importance that the relationship with Brazil has for us. That is why the first state visit of the second administration is to your president. We are pleased that your president has accepted the invitation."
"It is a sign of the respect we have for Brazil. I hope 2013 marks the beginning of a new era in the relations between our two countries," he added.
