Sir, - Paddy Woodworth's article under the title "Latin America: a special relationship with the EU?" (The Irish Times, January 1st/2nd) is timely and well informed. It takes into account Latin America's diversity and pluralism as well as the process of integration of which Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) is the most successful case.
The article poses several questions, among them whether Mercosur - referred to by the author as an "economic superpower" - is positively committed to the globalisation of the world economy or if it is, in fact, a form of inward-looking regional protectionism. Above all, he wonders, would a special relationship between the European Union and an integrated Latin America offer mutual protection from the established superpowers in the United States and from emerging superpowers in Asia?
Those are the key questions which we would like to address by providing a brief background to Mercosur's objectives and accomplishments.
Mercosur was established in 1991 as a major strategy for a competitive insertion of its 200 million inhabitants into a global economy. Bolivia and Chile recently joined as associate members. The international trade data for Mercosur shows how successful it has been in competing globally (the area exported as much as $83 billion and imported goods worth $98 billion in 1997 alone). Mercosur is now the world's fourth economic area, after NAFTA, the European Union and Japan.
Democracy and human rights are Mercosur's institutional framework chosen by the associating countries which believe that no integration process can grow and prosper without honouring fundamental political and social values. It will be useful to recall that the democratic clause is a clausula petrea within Mercosur's constitutional structure.
As proof of its commitment to a free and competitive world economy - as opposed to self-sufficient trading or regional blocks - Mercosur's members are willing to establish multiple and diversified links with all existing associations. That includes the "Initiative for the Americas" launched by President Bush, as well as the European Union.
The Mercosur countries would especially like to have a close relationship with the EU as common bonds abound between Europeans and Latin Americans, including family ties. In June this year at Rio de Janeiro, the European Union and Mercosur will meet at summit level. It will be an unique opportunity for all who believe in the importance of an open world economy to create new channels for increased and mutually beneficial co-operation. In this context, it is worthwhile to note that Mr Woodworth did not fail to refer to the problems caused to free trade by the protectionism of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy.
Agreements reached at the Rio meeting may well set precedents for others to follow. We are looking forward to the occasion with great expectations. - Yours, etc., Victor E. Beauge,
Ambassador of Argentina, Armando Sergio Frazao, Ambassador of Brazil,
Dublin.