Brasília, July 31, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - In a joint declaration issued yesterday (30) in the Itamaraty (Ministry of Foreign Relations), the President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeu, and President Lula underlined "the importance of a highway interconnection between Brazil, Guyana, Surinam, and French Guiana to augment trade and tourist flows in northern South America."

They also emphasized the importance of the International Highway Transport Agreement for Passengers and Cargo. Lula reiterated to the President of Guyana his commitment to the completion, in the near future, of the bridge over the Tacutu River, to link the state of Roraima to Guyana by land. (DAS)