Mercosur

• Thursday, July 16th 2009 - 07:15 UTC

  Latam forecasted to contract 1.9% this year and expand 3.1% in 2010

  

  The Latinamerican and Caribbean economy is forecasted to contract 1.9% this year following six years of sustained growth, but is expected to expand 3.1% in 2010, according to the latest estimates released Wednesday by the United Nations Latinamerican and Caribbean Economic Commission, Cepal in Santiago de Chile.

• Monday, July 13th 2009 - 11:33 UTC

  Mercosur is an “empty architecture” with rhetoric support

  

  Mercosur can’t find its social and political dimension, political parties don’t discuss the issue and as it stands it is an empty architecture, and sentenced, according to former Argentine vice-president Carlos Alvarez. He also warned about possible changes in regional agreements as Brazil becomes a full player in world politics.

• Saturday, July 11th 2009 - 15:35 UTC

  Mercosur summit confirmed July 23/24; strong claim from Paraguay expected

  

  The Mercosur summit has been confirmed for next July 23/24 with at least ten presidents scheduled to participate in the event that will be hosted by Paraguay. During the summit Paraguay will hand the Mercosur rotating chair to Uruguay for the next six months.

• Wednesday, July 8th 2009 - 08:07 UTC

  Mercosur power integration is “absurd” without Paraguay

  

  Mercosur asymmetries in power generation are overwhelming and almost absurd, with Paraguay the main power exporter in South America unable to dispose of its energy surplus, claimed Ricardo Canese, member of the Mercosur Parliament in representation of Paraguay.

• Wednesday, July 8th 2009 - 08:04 UTC

  Mercosur soy bean reserves stand at a minimum

  

  South America’s soy bean reserves suffered a strong reduction following recent sales while the global supply could be affected depending on the US crop and weather in the northern hemisphere according to Oil World latest forecast

• Friday, July 3rd 2009 - 13:55 UTC

  Mercosur agrees on the agenda for the presidential summit

  

  Advance teams from Mercosur country members reached a tentative agenda for this month’s presidential summit at the end of the month, (July 23/24) according to sources in Paraguay the country which will hosting the meeting.

• Thursday, July 2nd 2009 - 12:39 UTC

  Uruguay’s primary election results stun the ruling coalition

  

  Uruguay’s main opposition party performed much better than anticipated according to official results of last Sunday’s primary elections for the nomination of presidential candidates for October’s elections.

• Wednesday, July 1st 2009 - 13:07 UTC

  Leading Senator calls for US trade benefits to Uruguay, “bypassing” Mercosur

  

  United States Senator Richard Lugar, the ranking Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee is urging the US to extend trade benefits to Uruguay, bypassing Mercosur, a move he says would also increase pressure on Brazil to deepen commercial ties.

• Tuesday, June 30th 2009 - 06:37 UTC

  Mercosur will address inter-group trade restrictions in Paraguay

  

  Mercosur Foreign Affairs and Economy ministers will be meeting Tuesday in Asuncion, Paraguay in the framework of the Common Market Group to discuss trade barriers and try to unwind several issues.

• Monday, June 22nd 2009 - 12:22 UTC

  Mercosur summit in Paraguay to be postponed

  

  Brazil has suggested delaying the coming Mercosur presidential summit scheduled for July 3 and 4 in Asunción, Paraguay when Uruguay should be taking the chair for the next six months.