By Felipe Sola, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Argentina

THIS year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR) through the signature of the Asuncion Treaty in the year 1991. MERCOSUR is an historic achievement for member states (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay), since it has enabled us to move forward from a logic of rivalry to one of co-operation. Our democratic governments proposed a model of mutual benefits by which commerce yielded profits for all the countries involved through expansion of markets, scale economies and specialisation, making our productive systems more competitive and benefitting all parties involved. It was understood that the same could be achieved in political, social, cultural and educational matters. This model of co-operation stands in front of an old one based on conflict.

While the member states of MERCOSUR are traditionally strong exporters of primary products, many of the said exports that take place among partners are industrialised products, with automotive sector singled out as one of the most outstanding (almost 50 per cent of the trade between Argentina and Brazil).
Since its inception MERCOSUR has sought to conclude trade arrangements with all the countries in the region, which has enabled the construction of a Free Trade Area with most of the countries of South America. Similarly, we have negotiated trade agreements with the European Union, EFTA countries, Israel, Egypt, India and Southern African countries, among others. MERCOUSR is not a closed bloc to external trade, but rather it is a platform for member countries to project themselves to the rest of the world.

We believe that integration makes sense when it is understood as agreements that respect the diversity of our countries. Although not all our expectations have been met, in encouraging regional solidarity in political, economic, and social matters, our countries are jointly tackling challenges, which make us stronger.
For the last 30 years, MERCOSUR has been the main instrument in foreign policy for all the countries involved. Ultimately, this is about a State policy that has preserved itself beyond the changes in governments. In these past 30 years we have achieved a common ground in many instances: a commitment with democracy as a fundamental condition for the life of our people;

the respect for human rights as a core, value and inalienable right for coexistence; the recognition of our diversity; the coordination of our growth policies to integrate our production structures. The world is experiencing a reconfiguration of the global power structure along with a crisis of the international institutions that have ruled in the last 70 years. To address the challenges and uncertainties that arise in this scenario, we have no doubt that the integration of our countries will continue to be the best way to bolster our development, preserve our sovereignty and promote the well-being of our people. All power is weak unless it remains united.