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MONTEVIDEO, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Uruguay reiterated its intention on Thursday to hand over presidency of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) to Venezuela, despite different voices from the bloc's member countries on this issue.
According to a press release from the Uruguayan Foreign Ministry, Uruguay will transfer the presidency "in accordance with what was established by the existing rules" of the bloc.
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela are full Mercosur members.
Brazilian Foreign Minister Jose Serra proposed on Monday that the Uruguayan government delay handing over power to Venezuela until August.
Paraguay is against Venezuela becoming Mercosur's next president due to the political situation in the South American country, while Argentina withdrew its support for Uruguay's position to question the situation in Venezuela.
Uruguay also expressed readiness to cooperate with others to overcome the "problems" in the regional integration process through dialogue.
"In accordance with the responsibilities that come with its role and taking into account the existing differences, we will work to analyze and search for ways around the problems," added the Uruguayan Foreign Ministry.
According to the foreign ministry, consensus can be reached "through deep and respectful dialogue."
