South American, Arab FMs open meeting in Brasilia

Foreign ministers from South American and Arab countries opened their meeting here on Monday to draft a final document to be signed at the first South American- Arab summit slated for Tuesday and Wednesday.

The final document, known as the Brasilia Declaration, is to address political, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two regions.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said the summit was proposed by Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva in December 2003.

"South America has been devoted to the economic integration in the region and the summit is held shortly after the establishment of the South American Community of Nations," he said.

The two regions has historical links and the summit will boost bilateral ties, Amorim added.

For his part, Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem said he hoped the summit will strengthen the relationship between the Arab world and South America.

He hailed the meeting as a historic moment, saying it will contribute to the integration of wider areas.

Source: Xinhua