MONTEVIDEO : Pacts Talk Merger
Officials of South America’s two main free-trade areas, the Andean Pact and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), have scheduled a two-day negotiating session, beginning Thursday, on a proposed merger. Border skirmishes between Ecuador and Peru forced a change in venue from the original plan to meet in Ecuador. The officials will meet in Uruguay instead.
Andean Pact members are Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Peru suspended its participation in 1992 but has until the end of June to reactivate its membership. Mercosur members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
