(7 Dec 2009)
1. Wide of Mercosur headquarters in Montevideo
2. Close up of flags
3. Mercosur building entrance
4. Wide of ministers meeting inside Mercosur building
5. Mid of Argentine delegation
6. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Jorge Taiana, Argentine Foreign Minister:
"This has been a tough year due to the international (financial) situation. I think all of the member countries took all the measures they deemed necessary in order to defend their production, their employment and internal consumption. In order for us to surpass this situation, we must strengthen our internal economies, without a doubt. This has already happened in some countries. However, given this situation, the possibilities for commercial exchange within the trade block have now taken on a more significant role."
7. Wide of ministers in meeting
8. Close up of Uruguayan delegation
9. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Amado Bouduo, Argentine Finance Minister:
"We have a new tool, which is commercial trade with local currencies. Commercial exchanges have increased much more within Mercosur nations than they have with other countries. We believe that this resource (trade in local currency established by Brazil and Argentina) will help increase commerce within the bloc for both small and large companies. It will give them access to local financing options and will lift some of the pressure established by foreign exchange rates."
10. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Carlos "Chacho" Alvarez, President of the Permanent Members of Mercosur Trade Bloc:
"With Spain experiencing financial difficulties at home, I think it would be good for them to advance with an agreement with Mercosur as interim president of the European Union. A relationship with Europe would help Mercosur strengthen the bloc both internally and externally and would improve possible investments in the region."
11. Mid of press outside hall
STORYLINE:
Diplomatic and financial representatives from the Mercosur trade bloc met in Uruguay's capital on Monday, to discuss different proposals for surviving the international financial crisis and to extend trade with partners around the globe.
This comes a day before the presidents of Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Venezuela are scheduled to meet for the trade bloc's 38th meeting in Montevideo.
Argentina's Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana said all the member countries seem to have survived the world financial crisis.
Argentina, which will assume the presidency of the trade bloc this week, is looking to extend the local currency trade system which was established with fellow powerhouse Brazil.
Argentine Finance Minister Amado Boudou said he hopes this practice will be extended into Paraguay and Uruguay to help both small and large local companies fight against increased foreign exchange rates.
Mercosur Trade Bloc Permanent Members President Carlos "Chacho" Alvarez said the South American alliance needs to push for stronger commercial ties with the European Union under Argentine President Cristina Fernandez Kirchner's leadership.
Kirchner, who met with Spain's president Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero last week in Portugal, called on the future European Union president to re-launch trade negotiations.
The partnership could provide the EU's twenty seven members better conditions for exports in South America and help the Mercosur member countries grow into the European markets.
Another issue expected to be debated during the meeting is the inclusion of Venezuela as a full-member of Mercosur.
The approval of Venezuela's status was stalled in the Paraguayan congress.
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