Ministers from 33 South American and Arab League states met yesterday in Brazil to discuss on how to boost economic ties. But the summit, which brings together leaders from countries resentful of America's hand in everything from regime changes to rampant globalization, is also expected to be a platform for forging new political alliances.

Top government officials from the 11 South American nations and 22 Middle Eastern and North African countries participating met on Sunday ahead of yesterday's ministerial meeting and the two-day summit's opening today.

Rubbing shoulders in Brasilia will be leaders ranging from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a self-proclaimed revolutionary and outspoken US critic, to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and the summit host, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the country's first elected leftist leader.

The event is part of Silva's push to unite developing nations on issues like reform of the United Nations Security Council and the elimination of rich nations' subsidies for agriculture.

Silva's goal was "to bring these two regions closer within a larger strategy to ensure South America diversifies its economic-commerical relations, as well as cultural and political relations," said Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, according to the Agencia Brasil official news agency.

Yesterday, the Brazilian leader was expected to meet the prime ministers of Syria and Lebanon, and Abbas in private. Later, he'll host a dinner for Chavez and Argentine President Nestor Kirchner, who angered investors in developed countries this year by paying only 30 percent on the dollar of Argentina's mammoth US$103 billion debt default.

The summit could also serve as an initial step toward negotiations for a free trade agreement between two regions currently doing little business together.

Brazilian officials said a summit declaration will focus on social issues like Silva's push to eradicate worldwide hunger.

The meeting is billed as a step in so-called "South-South" co-operation to join the interests of poor countries so they have better negotiating power with rich nations that typically dominate global politics and trade negotiations.

South American countries are already moving forward quickly on that front by trying to boost political ties with Asia, particularly China, a major buyer of products ranging from Brazilian and Argentine soy to Chilean copper.

But the Middle East is Latin America's weakest regional trading partner. Brazil, South America's largest economy, exports just US$4 billion annually to the Middle East and imports US$4.1 billion, mostly in petroleum.

(China Daily May 10, 2005)