Brasília, 7/12/2004 (Agência Brasil) - Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, says that Brasilia is not being complacent with Argentina as it avoids a harsh response to restrictions on imports of Brazilian home appliances. "There are some people interested in a commercial war," said the minister, pointing out that Brazil is not interested in an impasse with Argentina, the country's biggest economic, political and trade ally.

Amorim said he did not see the decision to restrict the entrance of Brazilian goods as weakening Mercosur, even though the announcement of the measures came on the eve of the last week's 26th Mercosur Summit in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina.

"This is not going to make integration more difficult. These problems are the result of growth. If we were not growing, increasing our trade, these problems would not exist. We negotiate FTAA with the world's superpower, we are negotiating with the European Union. I do not see any weakening of Mercosur. On the contrary, it looks like there is a line of people eager to negotiate with Mercosur," declared the minister.

In his remarks, Amorim seconded the observation of president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who said that the present problems reflect Brazilian economic growth. The minister added that in negotiations with Argentina, Brazil will defend its interests. He said it would be ideal to not have such problems, but that when they existed they had to be dealt with in a mature manner, with intelligence. "We have our point of view, Argentina has its point of view," said Amorim.

The minister concluded by saying that remarks by Argentine president Nestor Kirchner to the effect that some Mercosur states were imposing restrictions that made negotiations with the EU difficult were not seen as a message to Brazil. "We are working together in perfect harmony. We have difficulties, everybody has difficulties. [Argentina] doing exactly what we do - defending its interests," said Amorim.

Repórter:Gabriela Guerreiro
(Translator: Allen Bennett)