Ana Paula Marra
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - Yesterday (6), the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, told 49 ambassadors who represent Brazil abroad that fomenting trade with Arab countries may become the Brazilian government's big challenge. To turn this into a reality, he stressed the importance of a team effort to solidify the foreign policy goals of President Lula's Administration.

In his speech, Amorim also referred to the importance of continuing the Brazilian mission of solidarity with the people of Haiti. He announced that, in the near future, the Brazilian government plans to sign cooperation agreements with that country, similar to the one recently signed with representatives of the World Bank in the area of school lunch programs. "Solidarity should not be a privilege of the rich," he observed.

The Minister also revealed that President Lula has pledged to pay Brazil's back debts to international organizations, including the United Nations (UN), by September. The country's debt totals US$ 193.9 million, of which US$ 105 million alone are owed to the UN, according to the Ministry of Foreign Relations' Press Office.

Translation: David Silberstein