Brasília, 6/5/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, met with the president of São Tomé and Príncipe, Fradique de Menezes, and the Foreign Minister, Mateus Meira Rita, on Sunday. Talks focused on requests for Brazilian technical cooperation in growing and harvesting cacau and palm oil crops, scholarships for postgraduate students, assistance in implanting a School Scholarship program and technical cooperation in the petroleum sector as the country, along with Nigeria and Gabon, explores its continental shelf.

The visit by Amorim is part of preparations for a visit to Africa by president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, which should take place in August. (AB)