Pope Benedict XVI called Thursday for a sense of responsibility and solidarity with the world's poor to prevail at world trade talks in Hong Kong next month, saying the interests of the wealthy should be put aside.
Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that discussions for a Free Trade Areas of the Americas, FTAA, must be removed from the ideological field and ratified his interest in addressing the more sensitive issues in the framework of the World Trade Organization, WTO.
The Chilean fishing industry is unsatisfied with the tariff reduction timetable contemplated in the recently signed free trade agreement with China and is demanding a total ports ban for Chinese vessels operating in the area next to its 200 miles EEZ.
Headlines: Councillors opt to keep GPC; ?Order, order': new Speaker appointed; British delegation in Argentina; Investigation team leaves; Cruising in this week.
Bolivia summoned a Venezuelan diplomat for having made statements against former leader and presidential candidate Jorge Quiroga which were considered as ”interference with (Bolivian) domestic affairs”, according to an official release Wednesday in La Paz.
The Argentine Army presented Wednesday the first prototype of a locally assembled tank, Patagon, which is considered the first step towards creating a national defense procurement industry.
Peru failed to conclude a free trade agreement with the United States and decided Wednesday to take a break in negotiations, as had happened with its Andean partners, Colombia and Ecuador, the day before
Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ratified Wednesday the country's successful economic policy emphasizing that Finance Minister Antonio Palocci plays a crucial role in its achievement and brushed aside proposals for a laxer fiscal policy to promote growth.
Trade among the Latinamerican Integration Association (ALADI) members is forecasted t reach 74 billion US dollars this year, 24% higher that in 2004.
Commonwealth leaders will warn rich nations this week that failure to reach a new global trade deal would signal to developing countries they do not care about poverty and could undermine democracy in poorer nations.