Mexico City, December 12, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The deep political crisis that affects Venezuela was one of the topics discussed by president-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the president of Mexico, Vicente Fox, during a luncheon held yesterday (11) at the official residence of Los Pinos, in the Mexican capital. According to Lula's spokesman, journalist André Singer, concern exists over situations of conflict in Latin America, on the part of both Lula and Vicente Fox.

Lula and Vicente Fox did not discuss the protectionism imposed on developing nations by wealthier countries, the spokesman informed. André Singer disclosed that they confined themselves to reiterating the interests that Mexico and Brazil have in common which permit both countries to expand their export capacity. (DAS)