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As the 48th summit of the South American sub-regional block Mercosur kicked off in the Brazilian capital Brasilia Thursday, heads of member states decided to focus on reducing trade barriers between their countries over the next six months to promote regional integration.
The proposal is aimed at stimulating trade between member states amid ongoing international economic crisis, said Paraguayan Foreign Minister Eladio Loizaga, whose country is adopting the pro-tempore presidency of Mercosur during the summit.
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Reunión del Consejo Mercado Común del Mercosur en Brasilia. #Integracion pic.twitter.com/nD2MpwPGGO
— Daniel Caggiani (@DCaggiani)
July 16, 2015
“Meeting of the Common Market Council of Mercosur in Brasilia.”
Bolivia's integration to the bloc as a full member state will also be one of the main issues discussed at summit after Uruguay, Venezuela, and Argentina gave the green light for the Andean country to join the regional body.
RELATED: Mercosur Summit Begins in Brazil
The positions of Brazil and Paraguay on Bolivia's entry to the regional body remain pending.
Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez has advocated for the full inclusion of Bolivia in the bloc since the last Mercosur meeting in Argentina, as part of a regional initiative of increasing integration.
Arrancan los cancilleres en Brasilia. Bolivia entrará al Mercosur!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/e27CnGB1CH
— Gaspar Mulet (@GasparMulet)
July 16, 2015
“Foreign ministers get started in Brasilia. Bolivia will enter into Mercosur!” Photo: Argentine President Cristina Fernandez and Bolivian President Evo Morales
During a visit to Argentina in advance of the Mercosur meeting, Argentine Congress honored Bolivian President Evo Morales and called him an “illustrious visitor.” The visit to Argentina, which wrapped up Thursday, included bilateral talks between Morales and Fernandez and the unveiling of a monument to South American independence leader and heroine Juana Azurduy, donated by Bolivia to its South American neighbor.
RELATED: Mercosur: Paving the Way for Latin American Integration
It is expected that Bolivia's integration into Mercosur will be made official during the summit. With Bolivia’s inclusion, Mercosur would encompass 84 percent of GDP in the region.
Bolivia is one of seven associated states in Mercosur along with Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Surinam, and Guyana.
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela are full members of Mercosur, which was founded in 1991 to promote trade and the movement of goods, people, and currency within the member states.
