Politics President Hugo Chávez arrived at 9:00 am. on Tuesday in Manaus, Brazil, to meet with his Brazilian counterpart Luis Inacio Lula da Silva and also with their counterparts of Bolivia, Evo Morales and Ecuador, Rafael Correa.

"We will review contracts that were signed some months ago but are now becoming concrete projects. We have made progress in the integration and unity of Brazil and Venezuela which is part of the South America unity," said the Venezuelan president upon arriving in Brazil.

Chávez stressed the importance of the Banco del Sur "to favor the Latin American economy in moments where capitalism and neo-liberalism join together."

Lula and Chávez will discuss the strengthening of regional integration mechanisms that allow South American economies to resist the untoward effects of the global financial crisis, reported the Brazilian presidency.