BRASILIA, Brazil. – Brazil’s president Luiz Lula Da Silva said his friendship with Dominican leader Leonel Fernandez, with whom he said shares common ideals, and "his visit consolidates the association that we are constructing in Latin America for more just societies, for rights to nourishment, right to the quality education and democratic values."

The chief executives, after signing cooperation agreements between their countries, held a press conference and headed a luncheon for the ambassadors and the delegations from both nations in the Government’s Palace of Planalto.

Lula said Fernandez is a leader in his country and the region for his work to lead the nation toward sustainable development, and that Brazil and Dominican Republic have common commitments, and for that reason work to expand relations.

He said the agreements signed fortify our relations, the creation of new jobs and the war against poverty. “President Leonel Fernandez and I are working to promote a biofuel project in Dominican Republic; we work to face the challenges of today’s world.”

Lula also asked the Dominican chief executive to back Brazil’s entrance to the Central American Integration System (SICA).

As to the issue of Haiti, the Brazilian leader valued Dominican Republic’s support that of the effort to stabilize that Caribbean country, helped by the United Nations forces.

He said Brazil’s as well as the Dominican government have a right to feel optimistic regarding Haiti’s future. "President René Préval should be given all the necessary support to continue impelling peace and development in that nation."

Lula said he’ll ask his country’s entrepreneurs to invest in Dominican Republic, as a way to take advantage of the access to the U.S. market.

The two presidents signed an agreement on biodiesel production, among other cooperation accords.