São Paulo, January 13, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - When he left his apartment in São Bernardo do Campo early today on his way to the Congonhas Airport, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said that the government will strive to enlarge and strengthen the Mercosur. He reiterated that the regional economic bloc is of fundamental importance to trade relations between South American countries and the rest of the world. Lula affirmed that he is convinced that enlargement of the Mercosur will provide the bloc better conditions to negotiate with the rest of the world. (DAS)