OREANDA-NEWS. May 14, 2010. Dmitry Medvedev and President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva discussed economic cooperation opportunities and current international issues, including the Middle East peace process, the Iranian nuclear programme, and the situation in South America.

Mr Medvedev said that the main directions for trade and economic cooperation between the two countries are high technology, the aerospace industry, peaceful nuclear energy, and military-technical cooperation.

The two leaders approved the decision to establish a working group to promote mutual settlements using national currencies. Another working group will examine the question of direct air links. Mr Medvedev noted that visa-free travel between Russia and Brazil will begin starting on June 7 this year.

The two presidents expressed support for the idea of transforming the G20 into a permanent organisation and giving it an institutional basis, which would require the establishment of various bodies within the group that would help it have a greater influence on international economic relations.

The two leaders adopted a joint declaration marking the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II, and signed an action plan for strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and Brazil.

Several bilateral cooperation agreements in various sectors were signed following the talks.