As part of the on-going process aimed at strengthening the UNASUR integration mechanism, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of UNASUR met in an extraordinary session yesterday to examine and decide on some key issues on the regional agenda. This meeting was chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guyana, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.
Among the issues discussed was the proposal by the Agencies and Electoral Authorities of UNASUR Member States to create an Electoral Council of UNASUR, and the meeting agreed to the creation of working groups comprising Electoral Authorities and Government Officials of Member States which will examine the nature, structure and functioning of the proposed council as well as the criteria and norms for the mounting of UNASUR Electoral Missions.
The meeting also reviewed the conclusions of the Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Finance and Economy and Governors of Central Banks held in Argentina on August 12th. Most of the issues discussed relate to a mandate given to that Council by the Heads of State and Government to deliberate on an effective UNASUR response to the international financial crisis.
The ministers recognised the valuable work of the UNASUR Mission in Haiti and agreed to recommend to the Heads of State and Government the extension of the UNASUR-Haiti Technical Secretariat to allow for the continuation of the programme of activities, especially those related to institutional support, food security and housing.
The meeting also recognised the need for further institutional strengthening of UNASUR, and in this regard, mandated that the Council of Delegates commence discussions on the rules, structure and budget of the UNASUR General Secretariat.
The Ministers further congratulated the Secretary General for her dynamic leadership and agreed that the activities of UNASUR should be further consolidated in order to derive even greater benefit and growth of the integration mechanism.
With respect to the issues on the international agenda, the Ministers exchanged views on those matters of interest and concern to the region.