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News > Latin America

Parlasur Members Offer to Mediate to Resolve Unasur Impasse

  • Parlasur President Jorge Taiana has highlighted the importance of resolving the Unasur impasse.

    Parlasur President Jorge Taiana has highlighted the importance of resolving the Unasur impasse. | Photo: EFE

Published 28 April 2018
Opinion

Jorge Taiana, president of Parlasur, has highlighted the importance of resolving the ongoing crisis due to Unasur's historic role in solving conflicts.

The 'temporary' withdrawal of six member states of the Union of South American Nations, or Unasur, has been discussed at a meeting of Mercosur's Parliament (Parlasur) in Uruguay.

RELATED: 
Unasur Represents South America's Spirit: Bolivian Minister

During Friday's meeting in Montevido, representatives of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela expressed their "concern" over Unasur's current predicament and vowed to work as "mediator to reestablish dialogue."

In a joint declaration, Parlasur stated they will "accompany the 12 member states of the bloc to solve the current impasse and reestablish the process of South American integration through political dialogue and consensus."

Parlasur's meeting occurred a week after Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru and Paraguay announced they were putting a halt to their activities, citing discomfort with the "lack of direction" of the regional integration body.

They also called attention to Unasur's failure to elect a new secretary general to replace Ernesto Samper, who headed the organization until January 2017.

The decision coincided with Bolivia's turn to take on the Unasur pro tempore presidency.

Jorge Taiana, president of Parlasur, highlighted the importance of resolving the Unasur impasse: "Unasur helped to solve conflicts and grave institutional crises in Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia.

"It also built a space for dialogue between presidents of the region that has, without a doubt, contributed to strengthening integration processes."

Since the six governments decided to withdraw form Unasur activities, Bolivia's Foreign Minister Fernando Huanacuni announced he would call for an extraordinary meeting of Unasur foreign ministers in May to solve the impasse.

According to Bolivian President Evo Morales, "we are going to make all our efforts to reach a consensus because we have many reasons to integrate."

The governments of Uruguay, Ecuador and Venezuela have pledged their support to restart dialogue between the 12 states.

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