São Paulo, 12/9/2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Horst Köhler, commenting on his meeting with the coordinator of the transition team, Antonio Palocci, said that they both had much in common and that the meeting was important.

Kohler also met with president Fernando Henrique Cardoso and minister of Finance, Pedro Malan. He emphasized the good relationship between the IMF and the present administration, calling it the point of departure for relations with the future Lula government. He said there was room for changes in the Brazil - IMF agreement and that, "We are willing to discuss what needs to be done with the new administration." (AB)