Brazilian president says dialogue can solve Venezuela-Colombia row

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva believed that dialogue could lead to solution to the ongoing diplomatic crisis between Colombia and Venezuela, a presidential spokesperson said on Thursday.

"Lula said several times that he regrets the current situation (in Venezuela and Colombia)," Marcelo Baumbach said.

The president said relations between the two countries are essential to the peace in the region as well as regional integration," Baumbach said.

President Lula remained adamant in his belief that the impasse between Venezuela and Colombia could be solved through dialogue and goodwill, said the spokesperson.

"President Lula has expressed his willingness to contribute to the dialogue and the mediation of this impasse," he added.

Baumbach also reaffirmed that Lula will attend the farewell dinner of outgoing President Alvaro Uribe on Aug. 6, and the inauguration ceremony of Colombia's President-elect Juan Manuel Santos on Aug. 7.

"There are no changes in the arrangement for the two events," he said.

Source: Xinhua