There is no shortage of evidence that Brazilian foreign policy has overcome the phase in which the country’s president was treated at events hosted by heads of state as if he were a gatecracker. For the next four years, we will see no more images like the one in which Jair Bolsonaro stood alone at a G20 meeting in Italy in 2021, bitterly rejected by world leaders.

For the first time in 14 years, the President of Brazil has been invited to participate in the G7. The invitation to Lula was made by the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida — the meeting will take place in May, in the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

At the summit, leaders from Japan, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Canada will discuss the war in Ukraine, the global economy, the food security and climate. Subjects on which no one wanted to know Bolsonaro’s opinion.

Now, on the contrary, everyone wants to hear what Lula has to say, especially on food security and the climate.

In justifying the invitation, the Japanese embassy in Brazil reported that Prime Minister Kishida said he was “anxious” to discuss with Lula the affairs of the international community and that the Brazilian could play an “active role” in the meets the most industrialized countries. in the world for having “a lot of experience”.

Amid discussions on internal issues, such as school safety and the negotiation of the fiscal framework, the invitation to participate in the G7 had less impact than it deserved.

Emerging from an obscure season, in which Bolsonaro and his Chancellor proudly declared their intention to turn the country into a diplomatic pariah, Brazil has learned that international respect is not a natural gift. , but something to cultivate with great skill and common sense. .

Bolsonaro and his minions have done their best to degrade national diplomacy. Now that he is starting to regain his status, it is good that the country values ​​him.

Lula can rightly include this achievement among the positives of his 100 days in office.