Lula (L) and Ahmadinejad (Archives)
Photo: AP
Brazil: World should avoid isolating Iran
At summit of Latin American leaders, President Lula says, 'Peace in the world does not mean isolating someone'
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva said the global community, in its quest for peace, should avoid isolating Iran over its controversial nuclear program.
Lula, whose country has friendly ties with Iran, spoke at a summit of leaders of Latin America and the Caribbean at a joint press conference with the event host, Mexican President Felipe Calderon.
Nuclear Sites
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"Peace in the world does not mean isolating someone," Lula said.
"I'm going to Iran in May to buy things from them. Brazil exports to Iran are worth one billion dollars a year and imports nothing from them," Lula added.
Brazil, which has its own nuclear energy program, supports Iran's stated quest to have a peaceful nuclear energy program.
The United States and leading world powers suspect Iran is enriching uranium to make nuclear weapons under cover of its civilian energy program, a charge Tehran denies.
Brazil has steadfastly said it does not want to see international sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, and does not adhere to US and European fears that Tehran is seeking nuclear weapons.
Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim recently said that his country supports talks between Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), before deciding on sanctions.
In November, Lula in Brasilia urged visiting Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to find a "just solution" with the West to Tehran's contested nuclear program, and reiterated that Brazil backed Iran's declared quest for "peaceful nuclear energy in full respect of international accords."
