The government is taking steps to increase substantially the purchase from Brazil of ethanol -the "green fuel" produced from sugar cane, reported Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicolás Maduro, as quoted by AFP.

"Venezuela is to buy Brazil, based on an upcoming special treaty, almost all of the production of ethanol," Maduro said during a press conference held in Brasilia.

Later he explained that a bilateral energy committee is to set the conditions and the amount.

However, he stressed that the volume to be imported is "very significant."

"Venezuela needs a very significant amount of ethanol for the gasoline both for domestic consumption and for export."

President Hugo Chávez had lashed out at bio-fuels, championed by Brazil, and considered them a threat on food production.

Chávez lowered the tone during the South American energy summit held last April in Margarita Island. "I want to clarify that we are not against bio-fuels. We intend to import ethanol from Brazil," said Chávez on that occasion.

"This issue has been tried to be used for conspiracy, to divide our countries," the Foreign Minister reasoned.