"The president of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva highlighted the importance of deepening bilateral relations with Bolivia and promoting new opportunities for trade and regional integration for both nations, within the framework of the state visit of its president Rodrigo Paz to Brazil on Monday. In his remarks from Palacio do Planalto in Brasilia, Lula da Silva recalled that his country is one of the main trading partners of Bolivia and that bilateral exchange could expand significantly if new productive areas are used. Lula also highlighted the business delegation accompanying the Bolivian president, noting that dialogue between the private sector of both countries is key to boosting bilateral exchanges. Lula supported the incorporation of Bolivia into Mercosur, stating that the expansion of the bloc strengthens the region’s strategic autonomy and consolidates an axis of continental cooperation. "Bolivia's accession to Mercosur represents a historic step. Mercosur is strengthened and gives us greater strategic autonomy," Finally, the Brazilian head of state announced his participation in the upcoming regional CELAC-Africa summit, where the dialogue with African partners is expected to expand and cooperation on strategic issues such as sustainable development and environmental protection will be strengthened, and he assured that the future of Latin America will depend on the capacity of the countries of the region to cooperate beyond political differences."