The Mercosul Parliament may help finding solutions to the bloc’s integration process, predicted on Wednesday (21) the minister on External Relations, Celso Amorim, during a public hearing promoted by the Brazilian Representation at the Mercosul Parliament.  Among these themes, he referred to government purchases, an issue extensively discussed in the last four years - he observed – in the Executive  Power.

- The intervention of political actors will be extremely positive, helping us to reach conclusions on issues that have been discussed for a long time. It is not possible, for example, that we are close to signing an agreement with the European Union without having an agreement over government purchases inside Mercosul.

The minister reminded that the creation of the economic bloc was a decision took by governments, and that entrepreneurs and civil society were not involved at first. Now, he compared, Mercosul became a “patrimony of societies”, involving many other parts, as unions and associations, who frequently turn to Itamaraty to make suggestions on the integration process.

According to Amorim, Mercosul is already consolidated. After passing through hard times from 1999 to 2002 – a period of international economic instability – now the bloc would have recovered. As an example, he mentioned the fact that, in the first four months of 2008, Brazilian exports to Mercosul countries reached 12.5% of the country’s total exports – against 14.5% destined to the US.   

In order to ensure Brazil a greater role in the international scenery, the minister said, it is necessary that the region is as peaceful as possible. Therefore, he supported a policy of “generosity” towards less developed neighbors.

- If we do not assist minor economies, such as Paraguay and Uruguay, they will not develop, and this will generate resentments – alerted the minister.

In response to the president of the representation, senator Aloízio Mercadante (PT-SP), who expressed worries over the claims of the newly elected Paraguayan government of renegotiating Itaipu’s Treaty, Amorim said that the deal should not be changed. But he highlighted the government’s disposition to negotiate support to Paraguay, especially to expand the infrastructure.

- Brazil is interested in a healthy development of Paraguay, as well as in other countries –  he said.

During the debate, senator Adelmir Santana (DEM-DF) suggested that the bloc should adopt a common legislation to regulate small and medium companies. Senator Valdir Raupp (PMDB-RO) asked what was the minister’s position on simplified taxes to informal salesmen, who usually cross the borders to buy and sell goods. Amorim said that the government intends to bring these people back to formal business.

Senator Eduardo Suplicy (PT-SP) asked the government to push harder for the liberation of former senator Ingrid Betancourt, still a detainee from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc). Senator Inácio Arruda (PCdoB-CE) asked for the government support to the seminar on continental energetic integration, that will be held in Caracas, Venezuela, in July.