Venezuela not to take over MERCOSUR rotating chair
The foreign ministers of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay decided that Venezuela will not take over the rotating presidency of MERCOSUR as dictated by the rotating chair sequence in alphabetical order. The decision follows a statement on MERCOSUR operation approved Tuesday (Sept. 13), according to a note issued by Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministers of the four MERCOSUR founding countries made the decision because Venezuela failed to comply with commitments undertaken as part of its MERCOSUR accession protocol, the note explained.
According to the joint statement signed by Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, if Venezuela “persistently fails to meet its obligations,” the country may be suspended from the bloc as of December 1st, 2016.
The note also explained that the deadline given to Venezuela to fulfill its membership commitments ended on August 12, 2016. Among the agreements and rules that Venezuela has not yet incorporated into its legal system as expected are the Economic Complementation Agreement No. 18, the Asunción Protocol on the Commitment to Promote and Protect Human Rights and the MERCOSUR Agreement on Residence for Nationals of MERCOSUR Member States.
The bloc will now be jointly chaired by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The four countries may also decide about trade negotiations with other countries or blocs of countries.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Venezuela not to take over MERCOSUR rotating chair
