Presidents of the the country members of the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) released a final press statement at the end of their summit in Rio De Janeiro on Friday.

The document states rather positive aspects in its opening paragraphs on the regions commitment to democratic values and human rights, by means of expressing satisfaction with recent electoral processes.

Then, it clarifies the continental objective of the block, initially created by countries of the Southern Cone, when it favors the strengthening of Mercosur's bonds with Chile and the Andean Community of Nations, and the full participation of Surinam and Guyana.

It also states clearly the blocks interest in going deep in existing commercial agreements, as well as promoting new ones among the countries of the region, as a tool to develop and increase trade flows.

The document stresses the importance of the Latin American Integration Association to regional negotiation.

On the other hand, it highlights the existence of structural differences among the countries, which lie beyond the size of their economies, and urges an expansion of the access to markets of countries of lower relative development.

Concerning to that, the statement classifies reduction of social and economic differences and inequalities as a central aim of the integration process, by favoring the promotion of fair life conditions to all citizens.

The document makes reference to Haiti, in which it underscores its support to the United Nations stabilization force, and reinforces Mercosur's commitment to humanitarian cooperation with that country.

Additionally, it supports relief of debts held by Bolivia, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras and Nicaragua with the Inter-American Development Bank, and favors the resumption of negotiations related to the Doha Round in order to strengthen international trade.

However, there is no reference to key issues that generated controversy in the conferences backstage, such as less developed countries complaints concerning economy, which will be discussed in a specific meeting later on.

The impasse between Uruguay and Argentina, which brings negative economic consequences to the smaller country, was not formally approached, and the feeling in the backstage was that other Mercosur members would not like to intervene.

(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2007 )