Argentina Urges Greater
Interdependence in
Mercosur
ncreased interdependence
among the countries of
the Common Market of the
South (Mercosur) will
strengthen economies and
democracies in the
region, Argentine
Foreign Minister Jorge
Taiana said Monday.
"Since its creation,
Mercosur has brought an
element of stability to
the region," Taiana said
ahead of the bloc's
summit in the city of
San Miguel de Tucuman,
some 1300 kms northeast
of Buenos Aires.
Strengthening democracy
will allow members "to
modernize their
economies and to achieve
the welfare of their
citizens," the minister
said.
"The aim that guided the
actions of the bloc
(during Argentina's
presidency of Mercosur),
was to be in service of
our societies," said
Taiana.
The six-month rotating
presidency of Mercosur
now passes to Brazil.
Argentina, Brazil,
Paraguay and Uruguay are
full members of the
Mercosur, while
Venezuela is currently
completing the process
of becoming a full
member. Bolivia, Chile,
Colombia, Ecuador and
Peruare associate
members of the group.
"The integration process
must continue to move
forward with concrete
results that prop up
political decisions,"
urged Taiana.
"We are not aspiring to
only raise trade flows,
but we have the strong
will to increase our
interdependence."
Taiana said the upcoming
summit would approve a
four-year framework for
innovation in science,
technology and
production programs,
which will readjust the
Mercosur agenda toward
more ambitious regional
compromises and
constitute a platform
for the incorporation of
value and technology in
regional production.
"The program aims to
secure productive chains
among industrial
partners, to improve the
global competitiveness
of companies in the
Mercosur countries, to
create new business and
investment opportunities
and to add value to
their exports."
One of the focuses of
the production
integration initiative
will be the setting up
of a common fund to
support small and
medium-sized companies,
he added. |
