The Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and the Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met on Thursday to discuss joint aid programs for Bolivia and Haiti, two of the poorest Latin American countries.

An official joint statement released after the meeting said: "The presidents agreed to present at the summit a joint initiative for the constitution of a humanitarian assistance program, rehabilitation and development of Haiti, formed by voluntary contributions of the governments of the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean."

When meeting Lula, Zapatero emphasized Brazil and Spain's role as promoters of rapprochement between Europe and Latin America.

"Spain and Brazil are two essential pillars, two engines that drive Europe and Latin America, as well as the relationship between Europe and Latin America."

The official communique also stated that during the forthcoming EU-Latin American summit, in the Peruvian capital Lima, the leaders would sign a commitment of cooperation with Bolivia for the implementation of water and cleanup projects.