MERCOSUR presidents meet today
Prensa Latina, Cuba
MERCOSUR Presidents Meet Today
By Osvaldo Cardosa Samon
1 July 2008
Tucuman, Argentina. - Backed by values of sovereignty and integration, presidents of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) member countries meet Tuesday in this city, 186 miles northeast of Buenos Aires.
Venezuela has waited since 2006 for its entrance to the bloc, made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay , and Chile , Bolivia , Peru , Colombia and Ecuador as associates.
The pact was created on March 26, 1991 by the Asuncion Treaty that establishes a common customs regime and, since 1999, a tax-free zone among its members.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Chilean Michelle Bachelet, Brazilian Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, Uruguayan Tabare Vazquez, Paraguayan Nicanor Duarte and President-Elect Fernando Lugo, Bolivian Evo Morales, and Mexico "s Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa are to attend the meeting.
According to official sources, Ecuador President Rafael Correa, Colombian Alvaro Uribe and Peruvian Alan Garcia will not participate in the summit, rather other authorities from their respective countries, as well as delegations from Jordan, Turkey, South Africa and international organizations.
Argentina President Cristina Fernandez will deliver today the MERCOSUR temporal presidency to Lula da Silva.
In prior talks, experts and ministers stated that the forum maintains a firm willingness to improve integration and work for a more visible and socially sustainable MERCOSUR, with larger political, productive and cultural content.
In tune with recent happenings, the forum will also condemn the new European migratory policy and analyze the world food crisis.
This European Union approval of the detention of illegal people and a possible prohibition of return to Europe as of 2010, is disrespectful to human dignity, said Venezuela President Chavez.
He called for European leaders to reflect, review their history and look at Latin America, which has opened its heart and arms to millions of immigrants in last centuries.
