Cecília Jorge
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - The prime minister of Canada, Paul Martin, will meet with president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the 4th Summit of the Americas, which gets underway tomorrow (4) in Mar del Plata, Argentina. This information was provided by the Canadian ambassador to Brazil, Guillermo Rishchynski. The issues they expect to discuss at the meeting include relations between Brazil and Canada and the peace mission in Haiti.

Rishchynski said that the two countries share positions in the international arena and collaborate in bodies such as the United Nations (UN). Nevertheless, one of Brazil's chief demands, the right to a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, does not have Canadian backing.

"We believe that the Security Council is a key element, but it is only one element in a broader reform of the whole United Nations system. We decided not to take a stand either in favor or against the desire of any country whatsoever to gain a permanent seat on the Security Council," the ambassador explained.

On Haiti, the embassador emphasized that Canada's participation in the mission, which is coordinated by Brazil, is a way of drawing the Brazilian and Canadian governments closer.

Martin and president Lula met for the last time in November, 2004, during an official visit by the Canadian prime minister to Brasília.

Translation: David Silberstein