German President Horst Koehler arrived in the north-eastern Brazilian city of Recife during his tour of the country and region on Saturday, according to dpa. The provincial capital in Pernambuco state is surrounded by some of the largest poverty-stricken areas in Latin America, a focal point for Brazilian and German development cooperation. Overcoming the enormous disparities in income and combatting poverty are a theme of the German leader's visit. "Political stability in our countries will continue only when as many people as possible can profit from economic growth," Koehler was quoted as saying in a speech at a dinner hosted by the governor of Pernambuco state. Koehler was to meet German experts in the field of development co- operation. The social responsibility of business and the establishment of a constitutional state, were issues also expected to arise during his visit. Having just visited Paraguay, Brazil is the second stop in the first Latin American trip of the former International Monetary Fund head.
