Brasília - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took advantage of the Rio Group summit to call on the international community once again to help the people of Haiti. "This is a grave crisis that tests our regional solidarity," he declared.

Lula went on to summon the 19 members of the Rio Group to join him in a worldwide compaign to fight hunger and misery. Pointing out that peace and development were the best ways to do that, Lula declared: "Diplomacy and dialogue are valuable instruments that should be used for promoting peace and sustainable development."

Brazil's president called the Rio Group an important tool that could be used by member states to build a stronger, more democratic region.

The Rio Group was created in 1986 in Rio de Janeiro to promote economic and social development and consolidate democracy among member states. Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela are members of the Rio Group.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Ana Paula Marra
Translator: Allen Bennett
11/5/2004