Brazilian's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday signed cooperation agreements on environment and renewable energy.

Brazilian's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (L) meets with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Brasilia, capital of Brazil, May 14, 2008. The two leaders on Wednesday signed cooperation agreements on environment and renewable energy.(Xinhua Photo)

The two leaders also officially reaffirmed their strategic partnership launched six years ago.

Merkel paid a brief visit to Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, on her way to the Fifth Latin America, Caribbean and European Union Summit, which will take place in Lima, Peru's capital city, on Friday.

Under the agreements, a loan of 52 million euros (about 80 million U.S. dollars) will be granted for the development of renewable energy and a non-refundable grant of 40 million euros (61 million dollars) will be allocated for sustainable projects and the preservation of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.

The energy agreement, which is valid for 15 years, stresses how to ensure energy supplies in a sustainable way, especially through raising energy effectiveness and the use of alternative energy.

They highlighted cooperation in hydroelectric power, wind power, solar power, geothermal power, ocean power and bio-fuels.

Lula and Merkel also touched on the negotiations of the Doha Round in the World Trade Organization and reforms in the United Nations Security Council.

LookAtVietnam/Xinhuanet