Brasília, November 20, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Brazilian ambassador in the United States, Rubens Barbosa, had a meeting yesterday with the president of the PT, deputy José Dirceu, in order to work out the details of the visit by president-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the United States where he will meet the president of the US, George W. Bush. Barbosa said, "The first personal meeting will be important for creating a climate of trust between the two presidents," and to set up an agenda for the future. The US trip has been confirmed for December 10.

Barbosa said the US remains Brazil's biggest trade partner. "Out of the 500 biggest American corporations, 420 of them have business in Brazil. And Brazil needs more investments so it can export more. This type of international cooperation is very important." (AB)