Oviedo (Spain), October 24, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived at around 7 A.M. (Brasília time), in Oviedo, in northern Spain, to receive the Prince of Asturias prize in the International Cooperation category. The award is bestowed annually on people who have distinguished themselves for actions benefitting the development of humanity. Lula will be honored alongside seven other international personalities in various categories and will receive the amount of 50 thousand euros (equivalent to R$ 160 thousand), which have already been donated to the World Fund to Combat Poverty.

Lula is accompanied by the head of the Presidential Civilian Advisory Staff, Minister José Dirceu, governors Wellington Dias (Piauí), Jorge Viana (Acre), and Ivo Cassol (Rondônia), and Deputy Jorge Bittar (PT-RJ). The Brazilian delegation will return today to São Bernardo do Campo (SP), immediately following the awards ceremony. (DAS)