Brasília - The presidents of Brazil, Argentina, and Venezuela plan to meet today in the capital of Uruguay. Hugo Chávez, President of Venezuela, after taking part in the inauguration of the new President of Uruguay, Tabaré Vázquez, gave an interview in which he said that the three countries are taking "a step towards trilateralism."

Among the topics expected to appear on the agenda is the "energy alliance," which is not confined to investments on the part of state oil companies but encompasses technological exchanges and business relations among Petrobrás, PDVSA (Venezuelan Petroleum, S/A), and Enarsa (Argentinean Energy, S/A). Other items that should be discussed include food production, foreign debt, science and technology, and the countries' physical integration.

The Brazilian Presidential adviser on International Affairs, Marco Aurélio Garcia, revealed that the meeting should deal with cooperation on infrastructure projects and issues related to petroleum, of which the three countries are major producers.

Translation: David Silberstein