BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) - Brazil says Barack Obama praised the economic stability of Latin America’s largest nation in a phone call to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

A presidential spokesperson says Silva spoke with the U.S. president-elect for 15 minutes Tuesday during a visit to Rome.

Obama reportedly congratulated Silva on measures to boost growth, develop social programs and promote renewable energy, and said Brazil has a key regional role to play in countering the world financial crisis.

Both Silva and his foreign minister were said to have been impressed with Obama’s knowledge of Brazilian affairs.