MONTEVIDEO, Oct. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Cuba supports a "true economic integration" of Latin America and favors all the integration initiatives raised by the Latin American Integration Association (LAIA), a Cuban minister said here Monday.

    Integration is a viable alternative for Latin America, and "If we don't do it, we will face the risk of division and the weakening of our sovereignty," said Cuban Interior Minister Ricardo Cabrisas, who is here to attend the 13th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the LAIA, which started here Monday.

    Cuba supports all the integration initiatives put forward at the meeting, Cabrisas said.

    "A true integration should cover all the issues affecting our nations," said the minister, adding that the LAIA must strengthen its role as the principal promoter of a legal and institutional framework as well as a permanent forum for the Latin American integration process.

    Integrated development in Latin American countries should become a factor to transform the present unfair world order, he said. Enditem