MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Ibero-american integration faces French resistance

An “Ibero-american integration” proposal was formally presented to the King of Spain by Mercosur representative in Madrid this week.

The president of the Mercosur Committee of Permanent Representatives, former Argentine president Eduardo Duhalde informed King Juan Carlos of the latest integration events in the region, particularly the coming July 1 Mercosur-Andean Community of Nations, CAN, integration announcement.

Mercosur full members are Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, and CAN is formed by Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela.

"There's a great unity spirit and willingness in the region", said Mr. Duhalde adding that CAN is interested in a "full integration". "Next July the signing of a trade agreement between Mercosur and CAN (plus Chile) will be the initial step towards a solid South American unity", emphasized Mr. Duhalde who before arriving in Madrid held talks with the five presidents of CAN members.

Spanish King Juan Carlos promised his full support to Latinamerican integration, "shoulder to shoulder", and said he was particularly encouraged that "Mexico has now requested to join Mercosur".

The King also confirmed his participation in the Spanish Language Congress to be held in Santa Fe, Argentina and in the Ibero-american summit scheduled for November in Costa Rica.Negotiations between both blocks are progressing but now face the objections of some EU members particularly France.

French Agriculture Minister Hervé Gaymard said the European Commission had made a serious tactical "mistake" in accepting to complete a free trade agreement with Mercosur next October, before the World Trade Organization round is over.

"Multilateral negotiations are the EU priority", underlined Mr. Gaymard.