Argentina-Uruguay Summit Proposed
Santiago, Chile
Chilean President Ricardo Lagos has invited his counterparts of Argentina, Nestor Kirchner, and Uruguay, Tabare Vazquez, to meet in Chile to discuss the paper mill crisis between them, official sources confirmed.
Kirchner and Vazquez are expected to be in Chile on March 10 to attend Michelle Bachelet's inauguration, and Lagos wants to use the occasion to mediate in the dispute between the neighbors.
"It would be perfect to create a broader atmosphere for talks. However, I think it will be difficult," said Lagos, as quoted by local media.
The standoff is of great concern to the region, as both Argentina and Uruguay are members of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), where important integration projects in the field of energy are currently under discussion.
Chile, particularly, has been indirectly involved in the dispute due to road blockades by environmentalists in areas bordering Argentina to prevent building materials from reaching the cellulose plant in Fray Bentos on the Uruguay River.
Chilean trucks were blocked by Argentinean demonstrators for three weeks. They finally had to return with their cargo, which was bound for the construction of the controversial plant.
Chilean President Ricardo Lagos has invited his counterparts of Argentina, Nestor Kirchner, and Uruguay, Tabare Vazquez, to meet in Chile to discuss the paper mill crisis between them, official sources confirmed.
Kirchner and Vazquez are expected to be in Chile on March 10 to attend Michelle Bachelet's inauguration, and Lagos wants to use the occasion to mediate in the dispute between the neighbors.
"It would be perfect to create a broader atmosphere for talks. However, I think it will be difficult," said Lagos, as quoted by local media.
The standoff is of great concern to the region, as both Argentina and Uruguay are members of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), where important integration projects in the field of energy are currently under discussion.
Chile, particularly, has been indirectly involved in the dispute due to road blockades by environmentalists in areas bordering Argentina to prevent building materials from reaching the cellulose plant in Fray Bentos on the Uruguay River.
Chilean trucks were blocked by Argentinean demonstrators for three weeks. They finally had to return with their cargo, which was bound for the construction of the controversial plant.
posted by Alice at
Saturday, March 04, 2006
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home