by Alejandra del Palacio
QUITO, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Third Summit of the
Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) was concluded here on Monday after
signing the Declaration of Quito.
During the summit, which united leaders and
representatives from the 12 UNASUR member states, Chilean President Michelle
Bachelet handed over the rotating presidency of the bloc to her Ecuadorian
counterpart Rafael Correa.
Bachelet said the summit demonstrated the advantage
of regional integration and reflected the common wish of the South American
people.
DECLARATION OF QUITO
The Declaration of Quito addresses issues such as
energy, the economy, health and education.
It stipulates creating the Bank of the South and a
common reserve fund and monetary system as well as councils on education,
culture, technology and innovation. A council on combating drug trafficking is
also included.
The declaration strongly condemns the coup in Honduras against former
President Manuel Zelaya and recognizes him as the country's constitutional
president.
ECUADOR RECEIVES UNASUR
PRESIDENCY
Upon taking over the rotating UNASUR presidency,
Correa said that UNASUR was "a political option" which includes achievements
from the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) and the Andean Community of
Nations (CAN).
He added that UNASUR faces the challenge of launching
projects like the Bank of the South, creating a common reserve fund and monetary
system and formulating new policies on restructuring the external debt of its
members.
The president also proposed the creation of an
observation commission for the electoral process in the region.
COLOMBIA-U.S. MILITARY
AGREEMENT
Colombia's plan to allow the U.S. use of its seven
military bases was also discussed at the summit.
Correa said that the issue would be discussed again
at a meeting scheduled for Aug. 24.
"It is an issue that concerns all of us because it
can destabilize the region," the president said.
Unasur leaders concerned over
U.S.-Colombia military agreement
QUITO, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- South American leaders on Monday voiced their
concerns over an intended Colombia-U.S. agreement to increase U.S. military
presence in Colombia.
The leaders of the Union of South American Nations
(Unasur) held the third summit here to discuss regional security, climate change
and other issues of common concern. Full story
UNASUR leaders reject Honduran
elections under interim government
QUITO, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Leaders from the Union of South American Nations
(UNASUR) member states affirmed on Monday that they would recognize no election
results in Honduras while the interim government was still in power.
The leaders once again demanded the immediate
restoration of ousted President Manuel Zelaya at the Third UNASUR Summit in
Quito, the capital of Ecuador.Full story
Unasur leaders vow to promote regional
integration
QUITO, Aug. 10
(Xinhua) -- The 12 member countries of the Union of South American Nations
(Unasur) agreed here on Monday to strengthen regional integration.
Presidents and representatives from the countries
signed a Declaration of Quito, which commits the 12 members to pursue
integration in a wide range of areas. Full story
Chavez accuses Colombia of acting against regional unity
QUITO, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez accused the Colombian government of acting against the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) by intending to sign a military agreement with the U.S.
Chavez told Colombian President Alvaro Uribe "to get off the train if you want" while objecting to the U.S. government's planned use of Colombian military bases. Full story
