Portugal, 7/11/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday, speaking at the Assembly of Portugal, president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared that the final decision in the arduous task of interpreting what the people want within the framework of the government's complex and ambitious tax and social security reform bills will be made by the people's representatives in Brazil's congress.

Lula added that he will send more reform bills to congress in the future, certain that he can count on support there for the changes the country needs and the people demand.

In his praise of parliament as a place where political forces converge for the collective good, Lula got a standing ovation from Portugues members of parliament. "It is in parliament that ideas take shape, in a climate of tolerance and mutual respect," said Lula.

In his speech, Lula called for a Brazil - Portugal partnership to form a democratic and ethical international community that defends noble and human causes. "At the Iberian-American Summit we had an opportunity to examine the possibilities of promoting our common heritage and cultural values. This can be done through the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), which becomes more dynamic daily as it promotes action plans to improve the well-being of our people. There is nothing more eloquent and inspiring than to see what we can do together, for example, in places like East Timor," said Lula.

According to Lula, the Latin American-Caribbean, European Union meeting is another opportunity for Portugal to play a key role in regional development. (AB)