Brasília, June 23, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - In a report presented at a seminar in the Rio Branco Institute, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) defends the adoption of mechanisms to protect Latin America's most fragile economies, chiefly after the conclusion of negotiations for the creation of the FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas).

The annual report on economic progress in Latin America emphasizes integration among countries and presents an assessment of common market agreements, pointing out the need for Latin American countries to seek new markets in Asia.

With regard to the Mercosur, the document informs that the economic crises in the countries that make up the bloc were detrimental to the adoption of measures such as exchanges in the service sector and resolutions to settle disputes. (DAS)