MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Mercosur has been 'a good deal' for Uruguay, 'it could have been better'
Mujica admitted that all the 'added value' of Uruguayan exports is sold in the region President Jose Mujica said that Mercosur even with all its problems “has been a good deal” although it “could have been better”, and it is imperative that the group signs trade agreements with Europe and China, which has become the main trade partner of the region.
“Anyway all the added value that we sell, we sell it in the framework of the region. Besides countries don't move, can't move geographically and our neighbors are too large and determined”, said Mujica in an interview with the Chilean daily La Tercera.
“With Argentina we've always had trouble, but history has taught us that when Argentina is making it good, it's good for us and when they go down, so do we; and we have this very clear”, underlined the Uruguayan leader referring to the recurrent trade and other disputes with neighboring Argentina.
Regarding the Venezuelan situation, Mujica did not blame any side, but pointed out that both the government and the opposition are “playing with fire and threatening the constitution and democracy”, which is extremely serious.
“We need to help Venezuela, democracy is at stake, constitutional rule is at stake, and if they cross the line, it will no longer be a democracy”, said Mujica.
“I believe the only path possible is respect and abidance with the constitution”, which is more significant than whether the country is heading for some kind of authoritarian regime.
Without abidance of the constitution, there is no democracy, there is no possible dialogue.
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Read all commentsWonderful! Our president acknowledges that Mercosur “could have been better”.
Mar 19th, 2014 - 04:01 pm 0It's been a disaster, and we should have left it years ago.
“I believe the only path possible is respect and abidance with the constitution”, which is more significant than whether the country is heading for some kind of authoritarian regime.
Mar 19th, 2014 - 07:49 pm 0Without abidance of the constitution, there is no democracy, there is no possible dialogue.
Very good!!!
What about when Maduro was the interim president there after Chavez died. That wasn't consistent with their constitution either.
What about in Paraguay? Didn't that government remove their leader constitutionally and Mujica and the rest of Mercosur decried it.
If an authoritarian regime throws out the consitution, “it's too bad, it was just a necessity of politics”.
If an authoritarian regime is being protested against, “we must abide by the constitution”.
Even in the U.S., with a little spin, it's constitution is put to the side.
I agree, a constitution has to be respected, but always.
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