Venezuela to import Brazilian ethanol-official

BRASILIA, May 1 (Reuters) Venezuela will begin importing Brazilian ethanol and the leaders of both countries enjoy a solid friendship despite past disagreements over biofuels, the Venezuelan foreign minister said.

''They've tried to use (biofuels) for intrigue, to divide our countries, our leadership,'' Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro told journalists in Brasilia.

''Instead of dividing us, it will unite us,'' Maduro said after meeting with his Brazilian counterpart Celso Amorim.

Brazil is the world's second-largest producer of ethanol and Venezuela is the world's fifth-biggest oil exporter.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Cuban leader Fidel Castro had criticised plans by the United States and Brazil to promote ethanol production in Latin American and Africa.

They said the use of sugar cane and corn to produce ethanol would increase the price of food and cause starvation.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said that South America has enough arable land to produce crops for food and biofuels.

Venezuela is to sign a ''special treaty'' to buy ethanol from Brazil, Maduro said on Monday. ''Venezuela needs an important quantity (of ethanol),'' he added.

''The personal friendship and political confidence between President Lula and President Chavez resists hurricanes, lies and intrigues, it's a solid friendship,'' Maduro said.

REUTERS PBB BST0458