British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva discussed world trade negotiations and climate change in a telephone conversation Tuesday, Brazilian presidential spokesman Marcelo Baumbach said.

Blair was quoted as saying that the next few weeks would be decisive in reaching an agreement on the Doha round of world trade talks and emphasized the importance of the June 19 meeting of the G4, a body made up of Brazil, India, the United States and the European Union.

President Lula said that the topic had been discussed during his March meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush. Lula expressed his willingness and optimism to reach a deal, as long as it respects nations' rights to develop.

Lula "also warned that less developed nations could not be expected to lower trade barriers to the point where it would risk reversing industrial development," said the spokesman.

Lula underlined that any climate change policy should also take into account the need for less developed nations to access advanced technology, which promotes growth and job creation.

The spokesman said Blair agreed that climate change should be considered without affecting nations' right to develop.

Source: Xinhua