Brazil chancellor advocates strengthening of Unasur
On a visit to La Paz yesterday (Aug. 21), the Brazilian Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes Ferreira argued for the preservation of the Union of South-American Nations, Unasur, formed by 12 countries—Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela—a bloc currently struggling with internal disagreements.
The political divergence among bloc members must be overcome, he said. “Brazil has worked to preserve this integration system. We’re very strongly attached to Unasur,” Nunes said. “Ideological disagreements [must] be set aside, as they can be addressed in other arenas.”
In April, government officials from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Paraguay, decided to suspend their participation in Unasur. The move came as a response to the resistance of Bolivia, Venezuela, and Suriname in naming Argentinian José Octavio Bordón to take the place of Colombian Ernesto Samper, who resigned his post as secretary-general. The protest was led by Venezuela and joined by Bolivia and Suriname.
Yesterday, Aloysio Nunes congratulated Bolivia Chancellor Fernando Huanacuni Mamani on his position as pro tempore president of Unasur and pledged his support for the bloc. “We’ll seek to hold dialog in such a way as to overcome the political deadlocks hindering its operation, in a bid to keep it organized and dynamic.”
Partnerships
Aloysio Nunes and Fernando Huanacuni also outlined a number of partnerships between the two nations, like the construction of the Central Bi-Oceanic railway and joint initiatives on agriculture, education management, environment, water resources, as well as border security.
The Brazilian chancellor went on to say he expects Bolivia to gain “full membership” in Mercosur still this year. The bloc is made up by Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela—currently suspended.
During the visit, Nunes was decorated with the Order of the Condor of the Andes, granted to foreigners offering services to the country. Fernando Huanacuni, in turn, was awarded with the Order of the Southern Cross, by the Brazilian government.
