Brasilia, Dec 7 (Prensa Latina) The full membership of Venezuela and Bolivia’s decision to join the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) consolidate the regional integration process, as reflected in the final declaration of the summit of presidents of the bloc.
The document, signed by presidents of member countries of the group at the end of a meeting held in this capital, says that the entry of Venezuela strengthens the global strategic position of MERCOSUR.
MERCOSUR is a forum of social, political, energy, productive, and agricultural integration from the Patagonia to the Caribbean, says the text.
The heads of State also welcomed Bolivia’s decision to sign the protocol for joining the bloc, which will contribute to consolidate the process of union in Latin America.
The leaders also reaffirmed the commitment to advancing towards comprehensive development of the peoples in fighting poverty and social exclusion and ratified the need to turn international cooperation into an instrument of regional integration.
The summit was attended by Presidents Cristina Fernandez (Argentina), Jose Mujica (Uruguay) and Dilma Rousseff (Brazil), as well as Venezuelan Minister of Energy and Mines Rafael Ramirez.
Also attending were Presidents Evo Morales (Bolivia), Rafael Correa(Ecuador), Donald Ramotar (Guyana) and Desire Bouterse (Suriname), as well as Vice President of Peru Marisol Espinosa and Deputy Foreign Ministers Alfonso Silva (Chile) and Monica Lanceta (Colombia).