August 11, 2005
Kirchner and Chávez vow to encourage bilateral and Latin American integration

(El Universal) - "The presidents of Venezuela and Argentina, Hugo Chávez and Néstor Kirchner, respectively, issued a joint press release vowing to tighten and reinforce bilateral friendship and integration.

The two rulers noted that there is a need to find better ways to insert their countries into the world scenario. They stressed the importance of improving bilateral trade relations.

Further, the two countries are to expedite trade mechanisms to ensure efficient and fast trade, the Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a communiqué.

Regarding energy, they are to continue fostering Petrosur to achieve regional energy integration.

They also intend to create regional funding mechanisms, such as the Social Emergency Fund Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho to help abandoned children, the Banco del Sur and the Latin American Monetary Fund, as well as to lay the foundations for Petroamerica.

They also stressed the importance of Venezuela's inclusion in Mercosur. They reiterated their commitment to encourage social, economic, energy, and financial integration in the region".