Brasilia  - Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim warned Tuesday that protectionism is "a poison, and not a remedy" for the ongoing economic and financial crisis, and he warned that Brazil will turn to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to prevent the "propagation of protectionist measures."

"We are certain that propagating protectionism is not a remedy, on the contrary, it is a poison that makes the situation even worse," Amorim said.

He was referring to some measures announced in recent weeks by the United States and France to counter the crisis, which Brazil considered protectionist.

Amorim admitted that governments have to take care "of their people," but he warned against taking inappropriate action.

"It is important to warn so that, in the search for solutions to their problems, those leaders do not end up causing bigger problems for others, which will eventually return to themselves."

Amorim made the comments in Brasilia following a meeting with new Congress Speaker Jose Sarney to review the main issues in the country's foreign relations agenda. (dpa)