Argentine government says Mercosur regional integration is crucial in face of global uncertainty

Regional integration based on coordination within the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) is critical in the face of a global context of uncertainty, said yesterday, Thursday, the Argentine Foreign Minister, Santiago Cafiero.

The head of the Argentine diplomacy headed this day in Buenos Aires as the official act for the 25th anniversary of the Forum for Consultation and Political Coordination of Mercosur (FCCP), an “outstanding sphere of the regional bloc where proposals of political, social and cultural nature of great importance for the daily life of the inhabitants of the region are presented”, informed the Foreign Ministry through a communiqué.

“For us, integration is South American integration; it is a path to illuminate a world of uncertainties; today, the world is debating about needs that the region can satisfy, not only from the economic point of view but also from the political one, because of how we solve the differences between States”, said Cafiero.

The Argentine Chancellor highlighted that the region “has always found mechanisms through debate, discussion, dialogue; we have never used force, and we do use foreign relations, foreign policy”.

“In this time of global uncertainty, with crises of states and supply chains, the pandemic was added to it and then the war. We will overcome these times together, with more integration, not less.”

“He added that any mechanism that promotes dialogue between sister nations and neighboring countries is necessary to overcome all adversities,” he added.

Argentina will preside over the bloc during the first semester of 2023, completed by Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

“We believe in integration, and from it, we will be able to overcome problems: inequality, violence, inequities, and thus be able to project a future for our peoples and the entire region,” said Cafiero.

The FCCP addresses issues such as the possibility of working and residing in another country of the bloc with recognition of social security, educational programs, and points of cultural, political, and health interest, among others, as well as advocating for the institutional strengthening of the bloc, explained the Palacio San Martín in its communiqué.