Carolina Pimentel
Reporter - Agencia Brasil

Brasilia – In his second visit to Brazil, the President of Uruguay, Tabaré Vasquez, said that his country is willing to work to strengthen the Mercosur. The development of the bloc was one of the issues discussed in a meeting between Vásquez and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, at the Planalto Palace, this Thursday (16).

"We have a strong commitment for a greater and better Mercosur. A bloc that really contemplates all member countries, and that has no economic or territorial differences," affirmed Vásquez in a press conference. Uruguay, one of the bloc’s smallest economies, has demanded more advantages for itself and other poorer members.

Lula said he wants a stronger, cohesive, and participative Mercosur as well. The Brazilian President pointed out the fact that he has insisted to make the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo, the capital of the Mercosur.

Brazilian Ministers of Finance (Antonio Palocci), Agriculture (Roberto Rodrigues), Development, Industry and External Trade (Luiz Fernando Furlan), Mines and Energy (Silas Rondeau), and the Secretary General of the Presidency (Luiz Dulci) also participated in the meeting with Vásquez.

Translation: Andréa Alves