Brussels, 17/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - Vladimir Spidla, Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner, and the Brazilian minister for social development and the fight against hunger, Patrus Ananias da Souza, signed, on Wednesday 16 April in Brussels, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) laying the foundations for structured dialogue between the Commission and Brazil on improving social cohesion. Dialogue will cover social issues of common interest such as human and social development, poverty reduction, the human right to adequate food, socially inclusive labour markets, extending social protection coverage, etc. The principle of this dialogue was agreed by Brazilian President Lula da Silva, and the president of the European Commission, José Maneul Barroso, during their meeting in July 2007. The MoU took effect for an initial five-year period as of the day when the two parties signed. It is not legally binding and will be automatically renewed for a further five-year period unless one of the parties is opposed to this. The text is available on the European Commission's website at the following address: http: //ec.europa.eu/employment_social/news/2008/apr/brazil_en.pdf (G.B.)