[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.