MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bachelet calls for a regional security and defence policy

Chilean president Michelle Bachelet invited Army chiefs from Mercosur and associate countries to consider the development of a common security and defense policy for Latinamerica.

"As former Defence minister let me put on the defense colors and invite you to go a step further so we can jointly think, governments and Armed Forces in a common security and defense policy for a growing number of countries from the region, because the challenges and the roles of our countries have become increasingly relevant", said Ms Bachelet who received the delegation in Government House, La Moneda Palace. Chile is hosting this year the Mercosur and associate members Army commanders annual meeting. "I believe this is possible if above all other considerations we privilege trust, as we have achieved it when we work together in a third country in conflict, such is the case of our brothers in Haiti", she added. "In Haiti several regional forces are working united and I believe it's very important and relevant for confidence building that our Armed Forces work shoulder to shoulder". Ms Bachelet underlined the joint experience of peace forces from Argentina and Chile under United Nations command and "the positive way talks between South American Defence ministers are evolving in that direction". "I believe that from Latinamerica we have the chance to show the world that our Armed Forces can become an instrument of peace and cooperation for the benefit of our people and I'm convinced we can lead along that path", said the Chilean president. "This means improved coordination to respond to UN requests, strengthening our peace operations and fortifying what you'll be talking about these days: cooperation to address the natural disasters and emergencies, which many come upon our peoples". The army summit includes commanders in chief from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela and Chile, besides the president of the Inter-American Defence Board and Chile's Defence minister Jose Goñi. Only absent from the meeting was the commander in chief of the Paraguayan Army because of the recent presidential election held last Sunday.