MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Mercosur - US 4+1 talks.

The presidents of Uruguay, Jorge Batlle and Argentina, Eduardo Duhalde coincided in the need of a stronger regional integration, starting with a reinvigorated Mercosur that could open the way for trade discussions with United States following the 4+1 model.

Argentina and Uruguay, together with Brazil and Paraguay are the four full members of Mercosur and rather skeptical about the United States sponsored Free Trade of the Americans Association, FTAA, given the diversity of countries it includes and the president George Bush administration new agenda of foreign priorities, particularly after the September 11 terrorist attacks and the Iraq conflict.

Although Mr. Duhalde will be stepping down next May 25, he indicated that he was sure his successor had similar ideas regarding the necessity of reinforcing Mercosur and then proceed to gradually include the rest of South America taking advantage of the Andean Countries association that includes Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela.

Mr. Batlle said that the 4+1 negotiations is a crucial instrument to "break" with the dependency small countries such as Uruguay have with a long term project such as FTAA.

"If we are to consolidate our democracies, if we are to ensure justice and fairness in our communities we need to know clearly where our trade possibilities with the outer world stand", stressed Mr. Batlle.

The Uruguayan president also informed Mr. Duhalde of his talks last week end in Brasilia where he met with Brazilian president Lula da Silva.

"President Lula was most enthusiastic with the 4+1 negotiations, and he agreed with me in requesting from the United States trade proposals to be considered at Mercosur level. Mr. Lula said he would attempt a meeting with President Bush either in Washington or Brazil to talk about the issue", revealed the Uruguayan president.

"4+1 means banging a very important door so we can clearly know if they are willing, or not, to consider all trade issues, not only those that interest the most powerful but all those essential to us; to us the great world suppliers of food, reliable, at better costs and produced in friendlier environmental conditions", explained Mr. Batlle