Brazil’s Lula Warmly Welcomes Chavez into the Mercosur Brotherhood

During the opening ceremony of the 29th Mercosur Summit in Montevideo, Uruguay, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said that the good relationship with the Andean Pact will facilitate Venezuela’s incorporation process into the Mercosur.

Lula complimented Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, for the country’s entry into the Mercosur as a full member. Venezuela has already participated in the bloc as an associate member since 2004. It is the first time the bloc accepts a full member since its creation in 1991.

According to Lula, one of Mercosur future challenges is to get closer to citizens. He also mentioned the need to improve the bloc’s institutions and to create mechanisms to enable investments and its productive integration.

The President cited the efforts of the Brazilian government to increase the involvement of the organized civil society in the bloc, and praised the "We are Mercosur" program, developed by Uruguay.

Lula also talked about advances in the project for the physical integration of the region. According to him, 43 projects are under development since 2003, and Brazil has approved more than US$ 2 billion for investments and warranties.

"Large part of this money will be applied in the Mercosur, in constructions such as the Mercosur Highway, the second bridge over River Paraná, and the São José Thermoelectric Plant, in Uruguay.

Agência Brasil

Tags:

You May Also Like

Brazil Gets Same Military Planes Being Used in Iraq

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has just  received the first of 12 multi-role military ...

Brazil Teaches 4,000 Small Businesses How to Sell Overseas

They want to see Brazilian small businesses prepared to compete on the foreign market. ...

Chavez Says He Will Buy from China if Brazil Won’t Sell Warplanes

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said the U.S. is blocking his efforts to acquire Brazilian ...

Fall of Brazil’s Chief of Staff Is Black Day for Lula

{mosimage}The South African President, Thabo Mbeki, sacked his deputy Jacob Zuma on 14 June ...

In Brazil Electoral Rules Are Strict, But Candidates Know How to Get Round Them

Yesterday, July 19,  was the deadline for the registration of financial committees for presidential ...

Brazil’s TV and Cinema Plans to Take on the World

Brazilian cinema and television productions may elevate their participation in the Brazilian export basket. ...

Brazil Goes to the US to Sell Its Fish

Shrimp exporters from the main producing states in Northeast Brazil (Pernambuco, Paraí­ba, Bahia, and ...

Brazil Looking Forward to Argentina Leader’s Visit

The president of Argentina, Néstor Kirchner, will arrive in Brazil on January 18 for ...

Brazil’s Furniture Hub Focus on Design and Reforestation to Grow

Brazilian businessmen in the furniture hub of Ubá, in Brazil's southeastern state of Minas ...

Brazil’s Romário in ‘Six Chickens and a Raging Bull’

Fluminense’s president, David Fischel, criticized football star Romário for attacking a fan after a ...