MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Unasur readies for summit when Paraguay takes pro-tempore presidency

Paraguayan Foreign Affaire minister Jorge Lara Castro appealed to airport unions

The Union of South American Nations, UNASUR summit will take place in Paraguay next October 29 in the sidelines of the two-day XXI Ibero-American meeting of heads of government and state, revealed the Paraguayan Foreign Affairs minister Jorge Lara Castro.

On the occasion “Paraguay will take over from Guyana the Unasur rotating presidency” said the minister in his internet portal.

In the same page Minister Lara Castro appeals to the airports staff-union who has announced a several days strike beginning October 28 to make it coincide with the beginning of the Ibero-American summit.

“Our concern must be Paraguay, because the summit is being organized by Paraguayans and will be a showcase for Paraguay internationally”, added the minister.

Airport personnel in Paraguay are protesting the government’s decision to lease out in concession several of the country’s air terminals, although not extensive to the main one in the capital Asuncion.

“On October 29 a brief summit of Unasur leaders will take place when the pro-tempore presidency will pass from Guyana to Paraguay”, said Unasur spokesperson Manuela Botero.

Paraguay has announced the attendance of 17 heads of state and government for the Ibero-American summit but one big absence will be that of Venezuela’ Hugo Chavez for health reasons.

Unasur is made up of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay and Venezuela.