Brasília - The president of the Senate, José Sarney, reports that the constitutional amendments changing the country's tax and social security systems will be promulgated on this Friday, December 19.

Sarney also announced that congress will terminate the legislative session on December 23 with votes on a series of bills, among them the 2004 budget.

Questioned by journalists about the first year of the Lula administration, Sarney declared that he was in agreement with the majority of people in thinking it had been positive, characterized by understanding in the relationship between the congress and the executive branch.

"Lula showed that it is possible to advance when the legislature and the executive are in step. Without that broad understanding we just never would have been able to vote such important reform bills," he said.

Sarney admitted that some problems had to be overcome. "We were able to make the necessary adjustments. We began the year in uncertainty... and we now reach the end of the year full of hope, certain that 2004 will be year of development."

Sarney said that president Lula had reduced tensions in the country. This was a year when the emphasis was on what unites rather than what divides us, he declared.

As for growth in 2004, Sarney said that "without growth things are more difficult. Now Brazil can grow and will grow. With the approval of these reform bills we are ready for renewed economic development." (AB)