MERCOSUR Hails Venezuela Entry
Parliamentarians of Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, members of the Southern Common Market, greeted Venezuela´s entry into the bloc, a step considered to be paramount for regional unity.

In a news conference at the Legislative Palace, Alfredo Altaro, chairman of the Joint Commission, said they will meet with Venezuelan deputies once the agreement is materialized.

Uruguayan Roberto Conde stated the Venezuelan entry and enlargement of the bloc constitutes a historic process gradually progressing, and it is part of a process of rebuilding and reduction of disparities.

Alfonso Gonzales Nuñez (Paraguay), said they will die individually if they do not integrate, and establishing agreements with other blocs will be very hard.

Legislators are paying a three-day visit to Caracas, host of the meeting of the MERCOSUR parliamentary commission, which constitutes the prelude of a its next extraordinary meeting.

They will attend official acts on July 5 to honor the Declaration of Independence. President Nestor Kirchner will make the main speech on that date.

Brazilian, Paraguayan and Uruguayan presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva; Nicanor Duarte and Tabare Vasquez are here for the signing of the document on Venezuela´s entry.ecision to refrain from releasing the voting tendencies.