LONDON, November 5 (RIA Novosti) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will be awarded on Thursday the Chatham House prize, a prestigious award from London's Institute of International Affairs, for his contribution to international politics.

"President Lula has been voted the winner of this year's Chatham House Prize because of his remarkable qualities as a national, regional and international leader," Director of Chatham House Robin Niblett said in a statement published on the organization's website.

The statement described the Brazilian leader as "a key driver of stability and integration in Latin America," adding "under Lula's administration, Brazil has become increasingly integrated in the global economy and has worked to foster consensus in multilateral trade and economic forums."

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent is to hand over the award to the Brazilian leader in the Banqueting House of London's Whitehall Palace on Thursday, the website said.

The Chatham House prize, established in 2005, is awarded annually to the statesperson who made the most important contribution to improve international relations, peace and democracy in the previous year. The first winner of the prize was Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko.

The Brazilian leader's competitors for the award were Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and President of Liberia Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

The Inside Costa Rica news service said the Brazilian leader was to travel to Britain in order to discuss with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown bilateral ties between the two countries and a range of international issues, including the global financial crisis and climate change.

The Inside Costa Rica news service said the president was also expected to meet with Queen Elizabeth II during his stay in London.