MERCOSUR Demands Lifting of US Blockade against Cuba
CUBA, December 11, 2009.- The 38th Summit of the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR) demanded on Thursday in Uruguay the lifting of the US blockade of Cuba and that the laws and measures contrary to international law be left without effect.
In a communiqué, both member and associate states expressed their satisfaction for the approval of the draft resolution against that hostile policy, presented by Cuba in the 64th period of sessions of the UN General Assembly, where 187 countries voted in favor, three were against and two abstained.
MERCOSUR’s request underlines that the economic, commercial and financial blockade to which the Caribbean island is submitted is a policy contrary to the principles of the UN Charter and contravenes the rules of international law, the Prensa Latina news agency reports.
Likewise, the text expresses its support of democratic processes in the region, on the basis of its support of constitutional order, democracy and democratically elected authorities.
The text recalls the regional interest for a solution to the long dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falklands and its sovereignty to be found as soon as possible.
It also congratulates Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Uruguayan head of state Tabaré Vázquez for their efforts during their respective terms of office in the strengthening of the process of regional integration.
This week, Vázquez ceded the temporary presidency of MERCOSUR to his Argentinean counterpart, Cristina Fernández, in the presence of presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, from Brazil, and Fernando Lugo, from Paraguay, who’re full members, besides Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, whose country is now in the process of joining the organization. (Cubaminrex- AIN)
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