Bolivia's entry request "Strengthens" Mercosur, Amorim Says
Bolivia's request to enter Mercosur "strengthens" the importance of the South American trade bloc, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said.
"Mercosur is boosting interest in the region," Amorim said at a Mercosur summit in Rio de Janeiro.
"It's certainly the main trade bloc in Latin America today and we can see that from the interest of other countries joining the bloc."
Mercosur is the common market founded by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Venezuela, the world's fifth-largest oil exporter, is completing negotiations to become a member of the group.
(Published by Bloomberg, January 18, 2007)