Buenos Aires, October 16, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The search for greater interaction in the Mercosur is inducing Buenos Aires Province to invest in bilingual public schools emphasizing the Portuguese language. By 2005, the Secretariat of Education of the Autonomous Government of Buenos Aires intends to expand Portuguese language instruction to 70 schools. Currently, 22 schools in the province teach Portuguese, as well as French, Italian, and English. "This is a way to stimulate the development of the Mercosur," commented the secretary of Education of the city of Buenos Aires, Roxana Eranzza, following a meeting with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Brazilian Embassy. (DAS)