MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Mercosur approaches Arab countries.

Mercosur and the Gulf Cooperation Council are moving closer to begin trade negotiations in the framework of a more ample understanding, said Brazilian Foreign Secretary Celso Amorim who is currently several Arab countries.

This week Mr. Amorim met in Saudi Arabia with Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad Al-Attiyahel, chairman of the Gulf countries Cooperation Council. Besides Saudi Arabia, the Council includes Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.

"The GCC Secretary General and Minister Amorim showed great interest in the conclusion of a cooperation framework agreement between Mercosur and the Cooperation Council, which could be the first step towards a free trade agreement", said the Brazilian Chancellery in an official release.

Mr. Amorim is currently in a tour of several Arab countries with the purpose of organizing a summit of Arab countries and Mercosur leaders which is scheduled for next May in Brasilia.

Brazil and the Gulf Cooperation Council will make all efforts for the signing of the agreement next May, the first of its kind which includes cooperation, trade and enhancing partnership.

Mr. Amorim has already visited Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Saudi Arabia and is will continue with Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Tunisia and Algiers.

Influential Arab descendent communities live both in Brazil and Argentina, Mercosur leading members.