BRASILIA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair and
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva discussed world trade negotiations
and climate change in a telephone conversation Tuesday, Brazilian presidential
spokesman Marcelo Baumbach said.
Blair was quoted as saying that the next few weeks would be decisive in
reaching an agreement on the Doha round of world trade talks and emphasized the
importance of the June 19 meeting of the G4, a body made up of Brazil, India,
the United States and the European Union.
President Lula said that the topic had been discussed during his March
meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush. Lula expressed his willingness and
optimism to reach a deal, as long as it respects nations' rights to develop.
Lula "also warned that less developed nations could not be expected to
lower trade barriers to the point where it would risk reversing industrial
development," said the spokesman.
Lula underlined that any climate change policy should also take into
account the need for less developed nations to access advanced technology, which
promotes growth and job creation.
The spokesman said Blair agreed that climate change should be considered
without affecting nations' right to develop.