Sao Paulo, March 17 -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday underscored the importance of deeper regional integration for South America's economic and political future, during a joint press interaction in Brasilia with Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz.

Welcoming the visiting delegation, Lula highlighted the symbolic significance of Brazil being chosen for Paz's first bilateral visit since assuming office. He also recalled longstanding ties between the two nations, noting their shared 3,400-kilometre border that connects key ecological and economic regions, including the Amazon, Pantanal and the Andes, as reported by Brasil 247.

Despite strong historical relations, Lula acknowledged that bilateral trade has declined from...