Sartori wants to strengthen relations with consulates.

State government - Mutual cooperation and the strengthening of international relations were on Governor José Ivo Sartori's agenda this Thursday (5). Sartori received diplomatic representatives from Portugal, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Spain. The meetings took place at Palácio Piratini and were attended by the first lady, Maria Helena Sartori, the secretaries of Education, Vieira da Cunha, Culture, Victor Hugo, and Tourism, Sport and Leisure, Gabriela Markus (acting), the deputy secretary of Administrative Modernization and Human Resources, Ademir Baretta, and also the director of Tourism, Abdon Barretto Filho.

During the meeting with the Vice-Consul of Portugal in Porto Alegre, Adriana de Melo Ribeiro, culture was discussed as a way to foster closer ties between the state of Rio Grande do Sul and the country. On this topic, Governor Sartori highlighted the cultural and religious expressions of the people of Rio Grande do Sul, such as the Feast of Our Lady of the Navigators, which is an example of religious syncretism.

According to the Uruguayan Consul General, Karla Beszkidnyak, strengthening relations between the country and Rio Grande do Sul should occur at all levels of government and in various areas, such as education, health, tourism, security, and legal cooperation. The holding of Uruguay's Cultural Week, strengthening trade, border territories, and the construction of the second bridge between the cities of Jaguarão and Rio Branco were among the topics discussed by the governor and the consul.

Argentina - The Consul General of Argentina, Carlos César García Baltar, stated that strengthening the relationship with Rio Grande do Sul is important for the country, as the state is a strategic partner, especially in the commercial area. The governor also cited cooperation in promoting cultural projects and border security as being of interest to the state.

Chile – “The relationship with Rio Grande do Sul is new, from a historical perspective, but it is a priority for Chile,” stated the country's consul-general, Eduardo Cisternas Bunge. The diplomat explained that Chile is interested in establishing a cooperation protocol with the state in different areas. He also reported the country's concern with the implementation of the bioceanic corridor between Mercosur countries and Chile and highlighted the importance of the state in this process, due to its geopolitical position.

Spain - In a meeting with the Consul General of Spain, José Pablo Alzina de Aguilar, the governor highlighted that Rio Grande do Sul's relationship with various countries can contribute to good relations between peoples. Security and public administration were among the topics discussed at the meeting.

Governor Sartori presented the diplomatic representatives with a copy of the book Rio Grande do Sul – The Soil and the People, featuring photographs by Eurico Salis and text by Renato Dalto. The work documents the customs maintained by immigrants of various ethnicities and also the diversity of the landscapes of Rio Grande do Sul.