Nelson Motta
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been invited by the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, to participate in an expanded meeting of the G-8 between July 15 and 17 in Saint Petersburg. In a letter inviting Lula to the meeting, Putin explained that the topics of discussion at the July G-8 meeting would be international energy security, the fight against infectious diseases and education.

Putin, who is the acting president of the G-8, declared that Russia is interested in the participation of other great nations in the discussion of global problems.

According to the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, Lula has not decided if he will attend the G-8 meeting, but is considering the invitation with attention and interest.

Translation: Allen Bennett