Carolina Pimentel
Reporter Agencia Brasil

Brasília – Following a meeting of president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the president of Argentina, Nestor Kirchner, at the Palácio do Planalto yesterday, it was announced that the two presidents will have regular meetings twice a year in the future.

According to Lula, successful cooperation requires close relations in order to ensure that what is agreed on is complied with. "The Brazil-Argentina relationship calls for ever closer ties so we have decided to have regular, twice yearly meetings.... The advances we have achieved - in the areas of science and technology, industry, labor, health, military affairs, culture, sports and border communities - would be impossible without a partnership that is based on solid economic ties."

Lula also praised Kirchner for his strong leadership in dealing with the problems of Argentina.

Translation: Allen Bennett