Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who currently presides over Mercosur, would meet heads of Chile's Senate and House of Representatives, Hernan Larrain and Pablo Lorenzini.

The two presidents agreed to strengthen bilateral relations andtalked about the three integration projects approved at the last Mercosur summit, related to energy, finances and infrastructure. Lagos has expressed his support for strengthening the bloc.

They also discussed the situation in Haiti, where the two countries keep peace-keeping troops under the flag of the United Nations.

Lula, who is developing a "Zero Hunger" plan at home, learned the details of "Solidary Chile," a program aimed at helping 220,000 families by providing financial aid and study and work opportunities.

They also talked about Brazil's aspirations for becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Since 1996 Chile has been an associate member of Mercosur, created by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.