Brasília, 1/21/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has once again stated that Mercosur remains a priority in Brazil's foreigh policy. During a meeting with the Commissioner for Foreign Relations at the European Union, Christopher Patten, Lula made that position clear and was praised for it by Patten who emphasized the importance of Brazil in South American integration. Patten also said he was confident that a bi-regional trade agreement uniting Mercosur and the European Union could be reached this year. (AB)