Mercosur

• Monday, February 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine private Antarctic charter cruise

  The first Argentine private charter cruise vessel sailed last weekend from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego for its maiden voyage to the Antarctic with a group of Ukrainian scientists and officials who will be doing research work and supplying the Vernasky base, formally belonging to the British under the name of Faraday.

• Monday, February 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Varig and TAM merge.

  Brazil's two largest airlines, Varig and Tam, announced they will be merging their operations in a joint venture to overcome the deep crisis in the industry. With a joint fleet of 218 aircraft and 29 million passengers a year, the joint venture to be listed in the stock exchange would be larger than some European airlines.

• Friday, February 7th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Mercosur adopts strong attitude.

  Mercosur will present this month its trade proposals to the European Union and to the United States sponsored Free Trade Association of the Americas, but with the necessary safeguards to ensure the blocks economic and social development.

• Thursday, February 6th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  IMF urged to go easy on Argentina

  Roberto Lavagna, Argentina's economy minister, on Wednesday urged the International Monetary Fund to go easy on Argentina's next government rather than demand damaging fiscal restraint.

• Wednesday, February 5th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine vote intention for the presidential elections.

  Headlines: Kirchner and Menem rebound; Tariff free berries for Europe; Argentine animal exports boom

• Tuesday, February 4th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Breaking News

  Headlines: Mercosur against the war; US economy growth drops abruptly; Seven million undocumented; Brazil targets higher surplus.

• Monday, February 3rd 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Lula wins support for reform plan

  President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil gained support for his reform agenda in Congress at the weekend as newly elected legislators joined its ranks and voted for a pro-government leadership in both houses.

• Wednesday, January 29th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  IMF full marks for Lula

  The International Monetary Fund confirmed that the current IMF supported program for Brazil “is on track” and reiterated its optimism regarding the current administration's commitment to strong macroeconomic fundamentals and improving social equality. The official release reads as follows.

• Wednesday, January 29th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  “Sleeping giant” criticises American protectionism

  Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his French counterpart Jacques Chirac criticised American protectionism that according to the Brazilian leader impedes developing countries to grow.

• Wednesday, January 29th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Mercosur summit next June

  Mercosur's Common Market Group, GMC, currently convened in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, confirmed that the block's presidential summit would be held next June in this city.