The first summit of South American-Arab nations concluded in Brasilia Wednesday with the passage of the Brasilia Declaration dealing mainly with trade and political issues.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the two-day summit, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that leaders and government officials from 12 South American and 22 Arab nations approved the declaration.

The declaration, whose draft was leaked to the press days ago, called for a fair international trading system and urged Israel to withdraw to the borders before the 1967 Mideast War.

"A rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory and fair multilateral trading system is fundamental for developing countries to benefit from globalization," said the document.

It said that "asymmetries of the rules and distortions of international trade" have caused "unequitable gains" between developed and developing countries.

The document emphasized the need for the elimination of the present "distortions" in the international trading system, "particularly in agriculture."

It also recognized the importance of the interaction between the Arab and South American countries, saying the interaction would reduce the inequalities between developed and developing countries.

The declaration reaffirmed the support of the 34 countries for a successful conclusion of the World Trade Organization negotiations, adding that the implementation of the Doha Development Agenda would benefit the developing countries.

On the Middle East issue, it said that the principle of land for peace and relevant UN resolutions should be observed so as to reach a just, durable and comprehensive peace in the region.

The document also highlighted the necessity of full implementation of the roadmap plan.

It also called on Israel to withdraw from "all occupied Arab territories" to the borders before the 1967 war and dismantle Jewish settlements, "including those in East Jerusalem."

On the Iraq issue, the document emphasized the significance of respecting the unity, sovereignty and independence of Iraq and of "not interfering in its internal affairs."

The will of the Iraqi people in deciding freely their future must be respected, according to the declaration.

It also said that the January 2005 elections were perceived as "a breakthrough" towards a peaceful transition of power for establishing a constitutional and federal government if such a government is decided by the Iraqi people.

The document supported the elected transitional Iraqi government and urged the international community to provide support in the reconstruction process.

The declaration also condemned terrorist operations in Iraq, which target innocent civilians, the infrastructure and the democratic process.

It stressed the "pivotal role" of the United Nations in Iraq and the need for a "greater" role of the Arab League in Iraq's reconstruction.

The declaration also dealt with South-South cooperation, action against hunger and poverty, sustainable development, cultural cooperation, cooperation in science and technology and social issues.

The summit was proposed by Lula da Silva in December 2003 during his Middle East tour.

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2005)