Brazil and EU see Doha trade accord soon

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the head of the European Commission said they are optimistic an agreement in the so-called Doha round of trade talks will be reached soon.

"Don't be surprised if pretty soon we come to an agreement in the Doha round," Mr Lula told reporters after meeting European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Brasilia, the Brazilian capital.

"As President Lula said, we think it is possible, if we try. The international economy needs good news," said Mr Barroso.

Major trade agreements take time to negotiate and are complicated to reach because of many different interests, Mr Lula said. But the US, the EU and the G20 group of developing nations are currently showing goodwill, he said.

"I'm optimistic, just as President Barroso is, about reaching an agreement in the Doha round," Mr Lula said.

Brazil, one of the world's biggest producers of farm goods, has played a major role in the Doha trade talks representing the interests of developing countries.