Latin America following in Europe's footsteps

Paolo Paranagua compares regional integration in Latin America with the development of the European Union: "The EU remains the benchmark, if not the mirror, for Latin American initiatives on regional integration. The most recent initiative, the Union of South American Nations (Unasur), which was born in Brasilia on May 23, is no exception. ... The Southern Common Market Mercosur had already more than fulfilled its original ambition of a growth in trade - despite departures from and changes in the free trade accord. Like the EU, the member states have harmonised their passports, which bear the name Mercosur over the respective country name. ... Regional integration is not a question of ideology. It depends on progress in the areas of infrastructure, economic growth, cooperation and prosperity. ... The EU was constructed on the basis of an understanding between the European Left and Right, a consensus which presupposes that concessions will be made. Latin American integration cannot take place if the negotiators continue to defend their own petty sovereignty."

» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Policy, » Trade, » Europe, » Latin Amerika