Brazil and Venezuela at best of times?

Brazil and Venezuela Strengthen Bilateral and Regional Integration July 1st 2008, by James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com Lula said the "extraordinary" oil accords with Venezuela will improve national sovereignty, and Chávez said relations with Brazil are at an "optimum level." (El Universal) Mérida, July 1, 2008 (venezuelanalysis.com)-- The President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez met in Caracas last Friday to discuss the progress of bilateral accords regarding the production and distribution of energy and food, Venezuela’s bid to become a member of the South American free trade bloc MERCOSUR, educational exchange, border relations, and the nascent South American Defense Council.

“We are showing that progress can be made toward actual integration among our peoples,” Lula declared after the meeting, which was the fourth of its kind since Chávez and Lula agreed to meet every three months to manage bilateral cooperation. “These quarterly meetings are more positive each time,” Lula added.

Relations between Venezuela and Brazil “are now at their peak, like never before in history,” Chávez commented after the 5-hour meeting. “Our countries are set to become driving forces in the South American, Latin American, and Caribbean integration process,” he said.

In the area of energy, the two presidents signed a cooperation accord to commercialize liquid natural gas from Venezuela in a refinery in northern Brazil.

The presidents also discussed how to further connect the electricity grids between the southeastern Venezuelan state of Bolívar, where mainly dams produce more than 70% of Venezuela’s electricity, and northern Brazil.