Nelson Motta
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - Yesterday afternoon president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva telephoned the prime minister elect of Italy, Romano Prodi, to congratulate him for his election victory and wish him a successful term of office. According to Palacio do Planalto spokespersons, Prodi thanked Lula for the phone call and said he would work to strengthen and expand Italy-Brazil ties.

Translation: Allen Bennett