Al-Ahram: Mubarak, Da Silva discuss latest regional, international developments, bilateral relations

President Hosni Mubarak was to receive Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who visits Egypt accompanied by a delegation comprising political, economic and trade top officials.

Da Silva is to meet with Prime Minister Atef Ebeid the Prime Minister and Amr Moussa, the Arab League Secretary General.

In an interview with Al-Ahram newspaper, on his visits to the Middle East, Da Silvia said that it was the first time since more than a hundred years for a Brazilian President to fly all this long distance to have an overall view on Egypt and the Arab world.

The Brazilian President further said that he called for Arab-Latin dialogue for genuine opening to the Arab world, noting that his tour was considered an outset for exchanging views among peoples of mutual interest but away from each other geographically.

We decided since the very early stage of assuming power to make Brazil's foreign policy more vital and advanced rather than it was before, said Da Silva.

On answering a question on what was impeding cooperation between the Arab world and Latin America in the past, Da Silva said "I thought the reasons were that each party was not aware enough of the other side and there was not enough courage for taking the initiative."

What would you like to tell the Arab leaders who are concerned with the Palestinian issue and the Iraqi situation? On answering this questions the Brazilian President said: " In Brazil, we have great interest in the Middle East peace, but unfortunately I could not this time pay a visit to the Palestinian territories or Iraq and I wish I could visit them and discuss peace issues. I need simply to say that if the world paid attention before, for eradicating poverty and hunger, wars and terrors might not have taken place."