ARGENTINA: Foreign ministers of the South American UNASUR economic bloc gather near Buenos Aires to discuss regional issues

Record ID: 449022

  • Title: ARGENTINA: Foreign ministers of the South American UNASUR economic bloc gather near Buenos Aires to discuss regional issues
  • Date: 4th May 2010
  • Summary: CAMPANA, ARGENTINA (MAY 03, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF THE FOREIGN MINISTERS EVENT
  • Embargoed: 19th May 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA1314QIS171AJEM07NVALMHYFG
  • Story Text: Foreign ministers from the South American UNASUR economic bloc met outside Buenos Aires on Monday (May 3) putting the election of the group's General Secretary, relief for both Haiti and Chile following devastating earthquakes and leadership in Honduras on the agenda for a regional summit by the trade bloc's heads of state scheduled for tomorrow.
    Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana said there is much at stake at the summit.
    "It has been made clear that this meeting and the work that we, the foreign ministers, are doing is reaffirming the commitment we all have to UNASUR. And secondly that the regional and international schedule is very intense and active with a lot of important issues on the table in which we are hoping we can advance," said Taiana.
    The ministers said leadership and the recognition of the Honduran government is a crucial issue the region's presidents must discuss while meeting tomorrow.
    The Central American country saw a coup last June in which then President Manuel Zelaya was ousted from power.
    Elections were later held under temporary president Roberto Micheletti who refused international pressure to reinstate Zelaya.
    Porfirio Lobo was elected president in the controversial election in November of last year, and has since been recognized by the United States and other nations, while most of South America has withheld formal recognition.
    "The choice of a political representative for the Honduran presidency is an important issue that we need to debate in the UNASUR meetings. Two [UNASUR] countries have recognized the Honduran government, but ten others have not recognized it and it makes sense for this to be taken on at the highest political outlet of UNASUR tomorrow by our presidents and heads of state who can try to make important decisions regarding this," said Ecuadorian Foreign Minister, Ricardo Patino.
    Patino also added that the heads of state will be looking into relief efforts for both Haiti and Chile which were both devastated by earthquakes which left an estimated 300,000 dead in Haiti and another 500 people in Chile.
    He said that relief efforts continue in Haiti.
    "We want to express the advancements that have been made since the meeting in Quito. An account has been opened to keep resources. We have to inform you that the governments have already sent the first commitment of forty percent of the one hundred million dollars. We also want to tell you about a plan that has sent a Technical Secretariat, from what we have called UNASUR/HAITI, to Haiti to address President [Rene] Preval and a team of ministers. This UNASUR commission went to Port-au-Prince and has worked on a concrete plan which is also valued and we are going to speak to that," said Patino.
    Former Argentine President Nestor Kirchner is eyeing the position of Secretary General.
    His wife and the current president of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez will host the summit along with the bodies temporary Secretary General, President Rafael Correa of Ecuador.
    Those expected to attend include the presidents of Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Venezuela along with representatives from Colombia, Guyana, Peru and Suriname.
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