MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Lula in Chile insists with Mercosur

Brazilian elected president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva emphasized his future government's commitment to Mercosur and insisted that Chile must strengthen its presence in the South American block.

In a brief one day visit to Chile, after meeting with Chilean president Ricardo Lagos in La Moneda, (Government House) Lula said that it was no time for technical details, "we need closer links with Chile so we can face in solidarity, international challenges".

President Lagos stressed that the critical word for Brazil now is "confidence".

"The world must trust Brazil because the country is undergoing an exemplary democratic and transition process, and the people have elected a man who is the true expression of peaceful change in Brazil", said Mr. Lagos in direct reference to the former union leader humble background.

Mr. Lula made it a point to underline that his administration will keep to the current economic growth policies, but with the necessary mechanisms to ensure a better distribution of wealth and lesser social differences.

"We can't keep growing as one of the world's leading economies with millions of Brazilians suffering hunger, excluded from production, consumption, basic needs and human dignity".

From Chile Mr. Lula returns to Brasilia to participate in Mercosur's presidential summit where he will meet his future counterparts when he takes office next January.