Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Peruvian President Alan Garcia on Tuesday signed 12 agreements on energy, social policy, education, science, defense and health.

President Garcia began his first official visit to Brazil on Thursday after his inauguration on July 28.

Among the 12 agreements, one is on the establishment of a bilateral working group to integrate Peru with Brazil's Amazon Surveillance System (Sivam).

There are three agreements for exchanging points of view on social programs and a commitment to developing joint strategies for poverty reduction.

Foreign affairs and defense ministers from both countries also signed a framework agreement to exchange information on strategic intelligence.

They also agreed to create a joint cooperation commission on energy, geology and mining, which will promote research and exploitation in the areas of oil, natural gas and alternative energy resources.

The presidents signed an agreement to teach Portuguese in Peru and Spanish in Brazil, specially in border areas.

On health issues, the two countries agree to give the priority to fighting influenza pandemics as well as prevention and control of AIDS.

They also signed an agreement on biotechnology.

Garcia expressed his support for Brazil's efforts to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Source: Xinhua