MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Anniversary with no celebration

Next March 26th., is the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Asunción Treaty, considered Mercosur's founding stone. However no celebrations are expected, and the occasion will only be commemorated with a high level seminar to be convened in Asunción at the end of March, with the participation of former country members presidents and high officials who helped carve the Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay group, to which later associated Chile and Bolivia. "We will consider Mercosur weakness and strength, and request former officials to give us their vision of the future, and necessary measures to encourage and consolidate the integration process", said Rigoberto Gauto, Paraguay's Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister. Paraguay holds the pro tempore chair of Mercosur until next July. A paper with the discussions, conclusions and recommendations of the seminar will be edited for distribution among Mercosur presidents that will be holding their mid year summit in Asunción at the end of next June. "That will be the occasion to remember and celebrate the tenth anniversary of Mercosur", said Mr. Gauto, who will be handing the pro tempore chair to Uruguay.