MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Closer Brazil-Chile cooperation.

Chile and Brazil agreed to renew efforts with the purpose of achieving South American countries integration emphasizing trade, communications infrastructure and science and technology development.

In the framework of regular political consultation contacts, Chilean and Brazilian delegates meeting in Santiago at Foreign Policy Departments Directors level also agreed on greater coordination in multilateral forums.

A short release from the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifically names Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay plus associate members Chile, Bolivia and Peru), the Group of Rio (which includes 19 Latinamerican and Caribbean countries), World Trade Organization, the G 20 in WTO and the UN Security Council of which Chile is a non permanent member.

For this reason "we're satisfied in jointly participating in the reconstruction effort of Haiti". Chile and Brazil have sent peace keeping contingents under UN command to Haiti. Uruguay and Argentina will also be participating but are still lacking Congressional approval.

"This reflects the high integration spirit of both countries and the joint willingness to address major responsibilities regarding peace, democracy and development of the nation".

Another issue in the agenda was Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva coming state visit to Chile next July. Chilean president Ricardo Lagos visited Brazil in August 2003. During Mr. Lula's stay in Chile a social policies forum will be organized together with the signature of a memorandum for the promotion of bilateral trade and investments.

A Brazilian science and technology delegation is expected in the coming weeks to address bilateral cooperation and joint research programs.