MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Paraguayan president Cartes visits Cristina Fernandez in Buenos Aires

The Argentine and Paraguayan (L) presidents during inauguration on 15 August

Paraguayan president Horacio Cartes is expected in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, following an invitation from his Argentine peer Cristina Fernandez, which will be his first overseas bilateral trip since taking office 15 August.

The visit according to the Argentine foreign ministry is in the framework of the deep historic, political, social, cultural and economic links between the two countries and with the purpose of addressing a full bilateral agenda with the commitment to strengthen and consolidate democracy and the region’s institutions and rule of the law.

Some of the specific bilateral issues refer to physical connectivity, necessary measures in support of the economic and social development of frontier areas, common infrastructure works as well as the overall regional integration process.

One of the thorniest issues besides trade and Argentina’s access barriers to its market are the pending threats by Argentine government-friendly unions blocking the Parana river which is crucial for the landlocked Paraguay and its overseas trade.

Likewise the ongoing controversy over the incorporation of Venezuela as full member of Mercosur which Paraguay does not accept unless some steps refereed to that decision are redressed.

According to Mercosur charter all decisions, particularly the incorporation of new members, are by consensus and with the attendance of all members, in this case Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.