Paris (France), January 28, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - After his meeting with French President Jacques Chirac, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized the importance of this European country for the strengthening of the Mercosur. According to Lula, France plays a very important part in the European Union, as does Germany, and it can turn the Southern Cone common market into a place of greater economic and political relations. "We have things to offer. We aren't only exporters of soybeans," Lula declared.

The Brazilian President had a little fun with Jacques Chirac, when he remarked the contract signed between Brazil and France to build a bridge linking Amapá and French Guiana. "God willing, we will have a meeting on the bridge two years from now. Then, France will be part of South America, and, who knows, of the Mercosur, as well," said Lula, recalling that this is his first time in France as President of Brazil and representative of the Brazilian nation. (DAS)