Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh's visit to Brazil marks an important milestone in the history of Brazil-Viet Nam relations, affirmed Brazilian President Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva.

Holding talks with visiting Party General Secretary Manh at the Presidential Palace in the capital Brasilia on May 29, President Lula da Silva praised Viet Nam's development and poverty reduction achievements, considering them valuable experiences not only for Brazil but also developing nations and the international community in implementing the Millennium Development Goals.

The two sides affirmed their determination to enhance equal and comprehensive partnership for mutual benefits and committed themselves to providing mutual assistance to each respective country’s development efforts, thereby contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia, Latin America and the world at large.

Both sides agreed to hold more regular bilateral high-level meetings, and increase the exchange of experiences on in-depth socio-economic development policy, particularly in promoting social justice and hunger eradication and poverty reduction.

Regarding economic cooperation, the Vietnamese Party General Secretary and the Brazilian President agreed to expand the scale and diversification of trade exchange, encourage investment and broaden the two countries' close, long-term cooperative relationship, especially in fields that the two countries are already strong, such as hydro-electricity, biological energy, steel production, food processing, timber processing, agriculture, animal husbandry and aquaculture.

Sharing common views on many international issues, the two sides emphasised the importance of forging cooperation between Southeast Asia and Latin America as well as the South-South cooperation. Both sides hailed the role of the Forum for the East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) in consolidating the close cooperation between the two regions and expressed willingness for closer bilateral cooperation for the success of the third FEALAC ministerial meeting slated for the ca pital of Brasilia in August 2007.

Party General Secretary Manh reaffirmed Viet Nam's assistance to Brazil’s candidacy for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council once it is expanded. Brazilian President Lula da Silva also reaffirmed Brazil’s support to Viet Nam's bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term.

On the occasion, Viet Nam and Brazil signed a health cooperation agreement.

On May 29, General Secretary Manh met with Senator Tiao Viana, Acting President of the Brazilian Senate, and Deputy Arlindo Chinaglia, President of the Chamber of Deputies.

The Party leader affirmed that the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Brazilian Lower and Upper Houses play an important role in the bilateral cooperation between Viet Nam and Brazil, especially in building a legal framework for a stable, long-term and sustainable cooperation in line with the " comprehensive, equal, mutual benefiting and supporting partnership " as agreed upon during the visit by the two countries' high-ranking leaders.

Vietnamese and Brazilian leaders shared the view to further bolster friendly activities and the exchange of experiences and information between the Vietnamese National Assembly and Brazilian Senate and Chamber of Deputies, helping boost the practical and effective cooperation between the two countries as well as friendship between the two nations.

Also the same day, General Secretary Manh received leaders from the Workers’ Party (PT), the current left-wing ruling party in Brazil, and the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB).

PT and PCdoB leaders highly valued General Secretary Manh's visit, considering it a direct support of the Vietnamese communists and people for advanced left-wing movements in Brazil in particular and in Latin America in general.

The Vietnamese Party leader affirmed that Viet Nam is consistent with the path of national independence and socialism, adding that the Vietnamese communists and people always support and make big contributions to the world people's common struggle for peace, national independence, democracy and social advancement.

General Secretary Manh and PT and PCdoB leaders agreed to promote the exchange of delegations to share and learn experiences from each other, helping boost the friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and Brazil.(VNA)