Lima, 8/27/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The agreement signed by Brazil and Peru on Monday in Lima, which officially makes Peru a member of Mercosur, is going to change the history (fisionomia) of South America, says president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. But Lula went on to say that Brazil does not seek hegemony. "What we want is partnership and cooperation in our relations with our neighbors," said the president of Brazil.

Lula and Alejandro Toledo also signed other agreements on trade, which Lula called important steps forward toward an extremely promising bilateral future. "It is possible that the documents we are signing is the first step toward the construction here [in South America] of something similar to the European Union," said Lula. "[We hope] that some beautiful day, which is not too far in the future, all the South American presidents can sign a great agreement creating a South American community."

In conclusion, Lula pointed out that all the agreements signed with Peru were "perfectly consonant with Brazil's position in other international negotiations. I am certain that our bilateral relations will be bolstered by these agreements and the newly created Brazil/Peru Business Forum." (AB)