Brasília, 2/17/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The minister of Foreign Relations and Cooperation of East Timor, José Ramos-Horta, is in Brazil to strengthen the already cordial bilateral relations between the two countries and expand them to petroleum exploration. Ramos-Horta also seeks to implement existing agreements in education, cultural activities and technical cooperation.

According to the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, East Timor's petroleum fields, in deep water near Australia, could make the country economically viable. As the only Portuguese-speaking nation in the region, Brazil remains interested in continued good relations. "This cooperation serves to give us a presence in that area. Through East Timor, Brazil is able to project its foreign policy goals in Asia," explains Edmundo Fujita, at the ministry. (AB)