Rio, 1 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Minister of Finance, Pedro Malan, said Friday that during the present moment of turbulence it is essential for the government and presidential candidates to remain calm. "It has always been my opinion that the political debate can be helpful as long as the main candidates make it clear that they are committed to fiscal responsibility and that they will respect contracts," said the minister.

He went on to say that Brazil seeks once again to reaffirm the soundness of its economic fundamentals. According to Malan, nothing fundamental changed in the Brazilian economy during the last month. "What new fact occurred to give rise to all this anxiety? I think Brazil is bigger than the turbulence and we are capable of overcoming it," he concluded. (AB)