Brasília, 4/11/2006 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - This morning, at 11:00 am, president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will officially welcome the president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, to Brazil.

Lula and Bachelet will have a private meeting followed by an expanded meeting with high-ranking officials from both countries. All this will take place at the Brazilian White House, the Palacio do Planalto. Among other things, the two leaders with discuss the establishment of a permanent joint comission to ensure reliable regional energy supplies.

At the end of the morning, the two presidents will hold a joint news conference in the East Room of the Palácio do Planalto. Following the press conference they will move to the Palácio do Itamaraty (Foreign Ministry) where Bachelet will be the guest of honor for lunch.

Translation: Allen Bennett