Berlin, 28/1/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - According to minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, the result of the working meeting, yesterday, at the Bellavue Palace, between presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Johannes Rau was an expression of interest on the part of Germany in assisting Brazil and its Mercosur partners in overcoming problems with the European Union such as customs barriers and farm subsidies.

Amorim said Rau called Brazil a "strategic partner," that Germany is interested in cooperating with, and promised to help with talks especially with France about subsidies. Lula said he wanted to maintain a "postive relationship" with the nation that is Brazil's second biggest trade and investment partner, after the US. (AB)