MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil trusts new Colombian government will help solve row with Venezuela

Presidential foreign affairs advisor Marco Aurelio García

Brazil is following “closely and with great concern” the latest developments between Colombia and Venezuela said the Brazilian Foreign Office, Itamaraty, confirming that President Lula da Silva will be travelling to meet with his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez next August 6, as was scheduled.

“The Brazilian government is following closely and with great concern the latest developments between Colombia and Venezuela, including the breaking of diplomatic relations of the two countries. The Brazilian government regrets such a situation”, said an official release from Itamaraty Palace.

Further on it mentions that Lula da Silva spoke on the phone with Chavez and “transmitted the willingness of Brazil to contribute in overcoming the differences between Colombia and Venezuela”.

On Thursday the Venezuelan government broke off relations with Colombia following claims that it “tolerates” the presence of Colombian guerrillas in its territory, a position which was formally presented before the OAS Permanent Council.

Lula da Silva and Chavez agreed to continue talking about the issue when the Brazilian leader visits Caracas next August 6.

The following day Lula da Silva will be flying to Bogotá for the taking office ceremony of Colombian president-elect Juan Manuel Santos.

Brazilian Deputy Foreign minister Antonio Patriota held contacts with his Colombian counterpart, Clemencia Forero and expressed “Brazil’s constructive willingness to help find a diplomatic way out for the current situation”.

Brazil’s presidential advisor on Foreign Affairs Marco Aurelio García said Brasilia will do its utmost to ensure it all has a good ending and revealed “contacts have already taken place”.

“I think the whole situation is regretful but we are convinced that with the coming of the new Colombian government (August 7 when President Alvaro Uribe steps down) these things can find a quick way out”, added García.

“I believe the Venezuelan government is willing to negotiate with the new government of president Santos”, he underlined.