Mercosur

• Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 20:35 UTC

  Mujica warns Uruguay is going through an exceptional period, but it is also finite

  

  President Jose Mujica said Uruguay was going through an ‘exceptional’ period vis-à-vis the world crisis but also warned that exceptionality has limits and is not forever.

• Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 18:52 UTC

  Brazil discusses with Chavez arrangements for Venezuela’s Mercosur incorporation

  

  Venezuelan President met on Wednesday with a committee from the Brazilian government to discuss mechanisms to speed the full integration of the country to the regional block. Brazil currently holds the Mercosur rotating chair.

• Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 09:10 UTC

  Mercosur farmers support Paraguay and call for harmonic relations in the group

  

  The suspension of Paraguay and the intent to incorporate Venezuela to Mercosur represent a threat to the regional integration process, said the Mercosur Federation of Rural Associations, Farm, currently meeting in Santiago de Chile.

• Wednesday, July 25th 2012 - 04:44 UTC

  Brazilian influential newspaper blasts “Dilma’s anti-diplomacy”

  

  Brazil’s influential newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo blasted Brazilian foreign policy and its handling of the Paraguayan political crisis. In an opinion column under the heading “Dilma’s anti-diplomacy” the newspaper argues that the current administration is politicizing foreign policy, the same way that her predecessor, Lula da Silva.

• Wednesday, July 25th 2012 - 00:54 UTC

  Spain suggests Paraguay should not attend Ibero-American summit in Cadiz

  

  Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel García-Margallo suggested on Tuesday that it would be best for Paraguay not to attend the coming Ibero-American summit scheduled to take place in Cadiz, next November, because of the complex political situation.

• Tuesday, July 24th 2012 - 23:43 UTC

  Unasur conditions return of Paraguay to democratic, transparent elections

  

  Paraguay must comply with democratic and transparent elections if it pretends to again become a member of the Union of South American Nations, Unasur, said the regional block following meetings on Tuesday held in Lima, Peru.

• Tuesday, July 24th 2012 - 06:40 UTC

  The only ‘coup’ was including Venezuela in Mercosur with Paraguay suspended

  

  Paraguayan president Federico Franco said on Monday that the only coup, if that is the word, was implemented by Mercosur from the moment they left Paraguay out of the decision to incorporate Venezuela as a full member of the group.

• Monday, July 23rd 2012 - 20:31 UTC

  “We need some strong vaccines to accept Venezuela in Mercosur”

  

  The head of the Brazilian Senate and former president Jose Sarney said he had his reservations about the incorporation of Venezuela to Mercosur as full member since the government of Hugo Chavez does not respect democratic rules.

• Monday, July 23rd 2012 - 19:16 UTC

  Paraguay could appeal Mercosur sanctions before the International Court of Justice

  

  Paraguay is prepared to demand Mercosur co-members before the International Court of Justice at The Hague for what it describes as “violation of signed treaties” and sustained “international isolation” following the rejection of an appeal to have sanctions lifted.

• Monday, July 23rd 2012 - 09:23 UTC

  Mercosur Review Tribunal rejects Paraguay’s demand against suspension

  

  Mercosur Standing Review Tribunal rejected Paraguay’s demand against its temporary suspension from the trade and integration group and the inclusion of Venezuela as a full member.