    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [July 17, 2006]
    [Pages 1414-1415]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With President Luiz Inacio Lula da
    Silva of Brazil in Strelna
    July 17, 2006

        President Bush. It's an honor for me to have a discussion with my
    friend the President of Brazil. He represents a great country, right in
    the heart of our neighborhood.
        We've got a lot to discuss. I'm, of course, interested in his views
    about different nations in our neighborhood. He's a man who looks at the
    world and is able to give a good assessment.
        I'm interested in continuing our dialog about alternative energy.
    Brazil has been a leader in development of biofuels. I'm interested, as
    well, in talking to the President about how we can move the Doha round
    of WTO forward. He's one of the leaders when it comes to trade
    discussions. A lot of the world looks to his--to him for judgment. And
    so I view this as a very important meeting. We're committed to a
    successful Doha round. In order for the round to be successful, the
    United States and Brazil must continue to strategize.
        And so, Mr. President, welcome. You're looking good. You're looking
    good.
        President Lula da Silva. This is because of the election campaign
    that's going on. [Laughter]
        Mr. President, for Brazil, the fact that the G-8 had decided to
    create, open a special moment to discuss the Doha round at the G-8
    meeting is extremely important. After our phone conversations, I am
    convinced that now is the time for us to make a political decision,
    whatever might it be. We cannot leave in the hands of our negotiators
    only. They already have done immense work, but now it seems to me that
    they don't have any hidden card in their pockets anymore. Now we're the
    ones that have to take our cards from the pockets. So that's why it is
    extremely important that the G-8 discusses this subject matter.
        And another important thing is that we see that we will open up the
    possibility for us to build partnership with the United States of
    America on the issue of renewable sources of energy and fuel. And we are
    advancing this field. The biodiesel program

    [[Page 1415]]

    is already a reality. And now we have another novelty that is the H-bio
    that is directly, finally, in the refineries--of the blend of oil seeds
    and vegetable oil with petroleum.
        I'd like to take advantage of this moment and hand over to you--
    [laughter]--our program of renewable sources of fuel. We have ethanol,
    biodiesel, H-bio--it's almost an invitation, Mr. President, for us to
    build a major partnership.
        President Bush. Thank you, sir. [Laughter]

    Note: The President spoke at 8:55 a.m. in Cottage Nine at the
    Konstantinovsky Palace Complex. President Lula da Silva spoke in
    Portuguese, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter.