¡¡LIMA, June 27 (Xinhuanet) -- The Common Market of the South (Mercosur) supports the Bolivian government to join the South American cooperation plan, known as "energy ring," Mercosur Secretary-General Eduardo Duhalde said during his visit to Boliviaon Monday.

    Duhalde said it was inconceivable if Bolivia, which has a natural gas reserve of 48.7 billion cubic feet, was absent from the "energy ring."

    "Bolivia is the No. 1 exporter of gas to Brazil and Argentina, and has a large amount of gas," Duhalde told reporters in La Paz, the seat of the Bolivian government.

    "The decision of taking part in the gas-pipeline network (of the energy ring) depends on the Bolivian government," said Duhalde, who pledged Mercosur's support for the new government of acting Bolivian President Eduardo Rodriguez.

    The energy ring is a proposal for regional cooperation and interconnection among the Mercosur member states, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela are also considering to join this program.

    Bolivian Energy Minister Jaime Dunn said last week that Boliviacould take part in the energy ring to "attain a regional energy autonomy and contribute with a sustainable economic growth."

    Bolivia exports 26 million cubic feet of gas to Brazil, and 6.5 million to Argentina everyday. Enditem