Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called for increased regional integration as his country takes over the rotating presidency of the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) from Argentina.
He made the call Tuesday at the 35th Mercosur summit being held in the northern Argentine city of San Miguel de Tucuman.
"Trade is an important element for our integration," said Lula.
Mercosur has moved forward a lot and its citizens have actively participated in the bloc's onward march, he said.
However, "integration does not end with trade," Lula said.
Referring to the Argentina-Brazil joint initiative for better integration, he said the region will study how to integrate its oil and gas productive chains.
During Brazil's presidency, the country will also collaborate with social and non-governmental organizations in Mercosur for better social integration, said Lula.
Mercosur was founded in 1991 by Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Venezuela signed a membership agreement in 2007 but is yet to complete the process of becoming a full member.
The group's associate members are Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador.
Source:Xinhua
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