MOSCOW, October 18 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and Brazil are intending to establish a privileged partnership in the energy sphere, a statement adopted after talks between the two countries' presidents said Tuesday.

The document said that progress had been made in bilateral energy cooperation.

The statement said that Russia could expand its participation in the construction of hydroelectric power plants in Brazil and both countries could strengthen coordination between their oil and gas and petrochemical companies, and exchange experience in renewable energy sources, especially ethanol.