Montevideo, Apr 16 (Prensa Latina) Suriname is making progress in the procedures to join the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), that sub-regional integrating authority reported today.
The Foreign Ministry of Uruguay, a country that presides currently over the bloc, composed of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Venezuela and Paraguay (suspended), said a delegation of MERCOSUR visited Paramaribo, the Surinamese capital, this week to negotiate the steps to take with its authorities.
After making a presentation there about the bloc’s institutional framework and trade relations and flows, the officials discussed the route map and gave directions for Suriname to join as Associated State, according to the communique.
They also held talks about the structure and work of MERCOSUR, its requirements and the rights and obligations attached to the condition of associated member.
The bloc’s delegation will send a bill for an Outline Agreement of Association before April 26, and both sides agreed to continue the negotiations to reach that accord.
The delegation visited Suriname after an agreement of the Minister Council of the authority, during the summit in Brasilia in December, with the objective of fostering and strengthening relations with Paramaribo.
Tyhe3 idea is to finish the process before the next MERCOSUR summit, to be held in Montevideo in late June, when Uruguay will transfer the temporary presidency to Venezuela.