President Bharrat Jagdeo held bilateral discussions with Cardoso and Mexican President Mr. Vicente Fox during the Latin American-European Union Summit in Madrid, Spain, yesterday.

The official said the Brazilian President has agreed to visit Guyana to meet President Jagdeo and other Caribbean Community (CARIOCM) Heads of Government in July when Guyana hosts the CARICOM annual summit.

Guyana and Brazil have established close relations in recent years and both countries are working on opening the major Guyana-Brazil road which is expected to forge closer ties.

During his intervention at the Madrid summit, Mr. Jagdeo spoke on the fight against terrorism, the rule of law and the strengthening of democracy, among other topics, the official said.

Condemning terrorism in all its manifestations, the Guyanese leader reportedly pointed out that while signing on to various anti-terrorism conventions was important, this would be ineffective if the necessary resources were not provided to implement the provisions.

He advocated that sanctions should be imposed against both State actors and Opposition functionaries who seek to undermine democracy and the rule of law.

President Jagdeo called for policy coherence so that developmental issues of Latin American countries could be advanced, the official said.

As an example, the official said the President cited the problems created by criminals being deported to developing countries, while at the same time vital skills are being recruited from these countries.

Mr. Jagdeo was among leaders at the CARICOM summit with Spain in Madrid Thursday.

Among other CARICOM heads at the meeting was Jamaica's Prime Minister, Mr. P.J. Patterson while Prime Minister Aznar represented Spain, a report said.

President Jagdeo addressed the summit on the topic `Towards the 3rd Summit' on behalf of CARICOM and stressed the importance of an effective mechanism being in place to ensure decisions taken are implemented. He further urged that the next summit be held within three years, the report said.

Mr. Jagdeo solicited Spain's support as a member of the European Union for the issues affecting the region, including the sugar protocol, special assistance for the rice and rum industries and preferential access for banana from CARICOM states.

He pledged cooperation on matters such as strengthening democracy and the rule of law, fighting terrorism, drug trafficking, illegal trading of small arms and other security issues, according to the report.