RIO DE JANEIRO, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's Minister of Culture Gilberto Gil, one of the country's most important and well-known musicians, announced on Wednesday that he intends to resign.

In a copyright regulations workshop in Rio de Janeiro, Gil said he will meet with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday night to discuss when he would vacate his position.

Gil was invited by President Lula to be Minister of Culture in 2003 following three decades as a singer and songwriter, during which time he won two Grammy and two Latin Grammy awards. He accepted on the condition that he could continue his music career.

Five and a half years later, after performing several times both in Brazil and abroad, Gil found it difficult to reconcile his two schedules.

The minister said his tenure had been very positive, adding that Brazil has shown other nations a new concept in government, in which an artist can take charge of the Culture Ministry.

He said one of the finest points of his administration was the recognition of cultural elements such as the capoeira, frevo and samba as Brazil's national heritage.

The important thing is that even though he would not be in the ministry anymore, the policies his administration has implemented will, Gil emphasized.

"The contribution we made will be there, and so will the president's commitment to the ministry," he said.