Bolivia is to hold talks with Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela on Thursday to discuss its move to extend state control over its natural gas assets.

Bolivian leader Evo Morales has said private energy companies must review contracts and sell their controlling stakes in energy to his government.

The move has alarmed Brazil and other key foreign investors in Bolivian gas.

With Brazil relying on Bolivia for half its gas, stakes will be high when the leaders meet, a BBC correspondent says.

The meeting was arranged after a conversation between Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva and his Argentine counterpart, Nestor Kirchner, the Associated Press news agency reports.

Argentina is the second biggest consumer, after Brazil, of Bolivian natural gas.

Along with Presidents Lula, Kirchner and Morales, the Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez – a major ally of Bolivia – will also attend the summit, which is to be held in Argentina.
bbc.co.uk

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