Lisbon, July 11, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva affirmed that the Brazilian government is ready to do its part in the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP). During a visit to the organization's headquarters in Lisbon, the President reiterated the CPLP's responsibility for mobilizing world sentiment and the necessary political and financial resources to revert the situation of extreme poverty from which residents of Africa and Timor are suffering. "During Brazil's presidency of the organization, we shall continue to investigate opportunties to contribute diplomatically and politically," he affirmed.

Lula underlined the support for the independence of East Timor and the valiant struggle of its people as an example of this type of cooperation. With respect to Guinea Bissau, Brazil has acted in the CPLP and other forums to foster negotiated solutions. "It is important for the people of Guinea Bissau to discover for themselves, through dialogue, paths to peaceful coexistence capable of leading to development," the President added.

For President Lula, the CPLP is the natural gateway for Brazil's presence in Africa. At the beginning of next month, he will travel to the African continent, and three of the five countries he will visit belong to the organization. Lula will go to Mozambique, Angola, and San Tomé and Principe to deliver a personal message of solidarity to the African people. At the end of his visit to the CPLP's headquarters in Lisbon, President Lula mentioned the 8th Meeting of the CPLP's Council of Ministers, scheduled for next week in the city of Coimbra, as a gathering that can give a major boost in indicating the future course of the countries that make up the Portuguese-speaking community of nations. (DAS)