Mercosur

• Saturday, June 18th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  World Bank support for Uruguay's five year reform plan

  The World Bank, (WB), extended Uruguay three credits totalling 175 million US dollars earmarked for infrastructure and social development during the official inauguration this week in Montevideo of the bank's regional headquarters.

• Friday, June 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Falklands in Sunday's Mercosur summit agenda

  Mercosur Foreign Affairs ministers will be discussing next Sunday in Paraguay the European Union decision to include in its constitution the Falkland Islands, currently under British sovereignty, reported Thursday the Paraguayan press in Asunción.

• Friday, June 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine economy steaming ahead

  Argentina's GDP expanded 8% in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period a year ago, and 0,5% over the fourth quarter of 2004, according to the latest release from the Statistics and Census Office.

• Friday, June 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina needs a “full time” Foreign Secretary

  The influential Buenos Aires daily La Nación Thursday's main editorial called on Foreign Secretary Rafael Bielsa to resign because the Foreign Affairs ministry is a task of huge responsibility and therefore can't be in the hands of a “part time” official.

• Friday, June 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Lula's top advisor, first victim of corruption scandal

  Brazilian chief of staff Jose Dirceu resigned Thursday to return to Congress and “defend” himself against the expanding bribes scandal that is currently besetting President Lula da Silva's administration and the ruling Workers Party (PT).

• Friday, June 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Budget battle dominates EU leaders talks

  Twenty-four European Union leaders confronted British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Friday and demanded he give up his country's multibillion dollar rebate in talks aimed at securing a new EU budget.

• Friday, June 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  In spite of record US deficit, expansion remains solid

  The United States current account deficit widened 3,6% in the first quarter of this year to an all time record of 195,1 billion US dollars, following 188,4 billion in the last quarter of 2004, reported the US Department of Commerce.

• Friday, June 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile becomes approved destination for Chinese tourism

  A delegation of Chilean private tourism operators together with Oscar Santelices Director of the country's Tourism Office are currently touring China's main cities Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing promoting Chile which has now become an open market for Chinese tourists.

• Thursday, June 16th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Bielsa: “I'm not tied to the cabinet chair”

  Argentine Foreign Affairs minister Rafael Bielsa defended his right to remain in the cabinet post while campaigning for a seat in the Lower House, although he also pointed out that he's “not tied to the chair”.

• Thursday, June 16th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  EU-Mercosur trade talks

  Portugal and Spain called yesterday for more political input in the EU's trade negotiations with the Mercosur bloc, after five-year talks broke down.