Dubai, 08 – (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Speaking at a press conference in Dubai on Sunday, president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared that the visit to the Middle East would strengthen the G-20 which was formed at the World Trade Organization meeting in Cancun. The reason the group was formed was to enable members to negotiate issues such as agriculture in a more balanced manner. "We need to exchange information on our experiences among ourselves so we can can have a leading role on the international stage. Brazil should not be a supporting actor," said the president.

As for Brazil's wider foreign affairs agenda, Lula said that relations with China, Russia and India remained the top priority because more trade and closer ties with those countries reinforced Brazil's position on the international scene.

Lula denied that strengthening the so-called G-3 (Brazil, India and South Africa) was any kind of confrontation with rich nations. He said it was just part of a broader effort of developing nations to promote economic and commercial relations.

As for Iraq, Lula said Brazil should open a commercial office there and wants to participate in rebuilding the country because it has a strong construction sector. He added that Brazil continues to believe that the UN should get involved there as soon as possible so the Iraqis can begin the process of selecting their own leaders.

The Middle East

Commenting on his remark made in Syria that Israel should put a halt to its occupation of Palestinian territory, Lula said there was no intention of getting into a dispute with the US about the issue. He stated once again that the only war Brazil was interested in was the war on hunger.

Presidential Trips

Lula said that in 2003 he travelled a lot, "planting seeds," that were already bearing fruit. He cited the example of South Africa where, according to the Brazilian ambassador there, more Brazilian businessmen visited the country in the last nine months than in the previous two years. Lula declared it was necessary to take advantage of the moment, but promised that he will travel less in 2004, saying it would be a year to consolidate the gains made by his travels. He added that that will mean a lot of work for his ministers of Foreign Relations and Development. (AB)