Mercosur

Monday, December 18th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Uruguay pleased to end military custody of disputed pulp mill

Uruguay confirmed Monday it would willingly withdraw military personnel stationed in the perimeter of the Botnia-Orion pulp mill under construction, following a request from the Finnish company.
Sunday, December 17th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Astori: “there's no way Mercosur can advance”

Uruguay accused Argentina of violating Mercosur regulations and Brazil of passive complicity by not reacting, and under these circumstances “there's no way Mercosur can advance”, claimed Uruguayan Minister of Economy Danilo Astori.
Saturday, December 16th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Cautious optimism in Latin América

Governments in Latin America and the Caribbean expect a fourth straight year of economic growth in 2006, topped by a jump of 12.5 percent in Cuba, according to a report issued Thursday by the UN economic agency for the region.
Saturday, December 16th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Pulp mill conflict widens Mercosur rift

Escalating mutual recriminations and complaints between Argentina and Uruguay signaled the first day of deliberations at the Mercosur ministerial meeting in Brasilia in the same week that the group officially inaugurated its Parliament.
Saturday, December 16th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Argentina and Brazil promote bilateral trade

Argentina and Brazil signed in Brasilia a protocol for a bilateral trade payments system in local currencies which gradually eliminates the US dollar helping to reduce goods and services transactions costs.
Friday, December 15th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Penguin News Update

Headlines: A close shave for cash; Status: to have and to hold?; De-mining study; Attorney General's shock resignation; This week's cruise visits; New Playground to open; Legislative Council meets today; Get ready for the Raft Race.
Friday, December 15th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Oil Price climbs after Opec agrees output cut

Oil gained more than a dollar on Thursday after Opec decided to cut its output by two per cent from February.
Friday, December 15th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
US/Venezuela address after-election “new reality”

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro met U.S. ambassador William Brownfield, seeking to ease years of diplomatic tension as President Hugo Chavez prepares to begin a second, six-year term.
Thursday, December 14th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
“Fantastic” US/Argentina bilateral relations

United States Under Secretary for Latinamerica Tom Shannon described US/Argentina relations are “fantastic” during a seminar where two former Latinamerican Foreign Affairs ministers criticized President Nestor Kirchner for his “left wing populism”.
Thursday, December 14th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
EU leaders set to toughen membership conditions

European leaders will seek to reassure sceptical voters at a summit starting on Thursday by toughening policy on enlargement of the European Union, without though slamming the door on a queue of aspiring nations.