Brussels, 08/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission approved, before the Christmas break, a series of financing for cooperation with Latin America. See detail:
- An aid of EUR 6.2 million over four years to Argentina is aimed at improving the competitiveness of the Argentine economy, in the sector of mining industry (industrial rocks and non-metallic minerals), foodstuffs (cheese and honey), wood and information technologies. The aim is to contribute towards the bringing into line of procedures and rules for Argentine certification with international rules. The sectors have been chosen for the mutual interest they represent for Europeans and Argentines, underline the Commission services in their financing proposal. They recall among others that Argentine, major exporter of milk products, "aims to take the lead of Mercusor countries" for the exporting of cheeses and targets the Brazilian market. It is also one of the five main world producers of honey. Moreover, "with an annual turnover of USD 15 billion, information technologies form at the time being the activity that manages the largest volume of sales in Argentina, exceeding the car sector or that of oil".
- An aid of EUR 2.8 million over two years to Peru and Ecuador is aimed at preparatory studies on the rehabilitation fo the Pirua-Guyaquil road axis between the two countries. The Commission undertook to bring EUR 40 million in total to the road project, in the framework of the support to the peace process resulting from the peace agreement signed in 1998. It concerns one of the priority projects identified by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) for the development of the cross Border area.
- An aid of EUR 2 million over three years for the Andean Community, will finance a harmonisation project for competition rules in the Andean region. The Commission's aims is to contribute towards the consolidation of the Andean common market in the sectors of State aid and mergers, which are presently not covered by the Carthagena agreement founding the Andean Community. The European aid will finance in particular seminars and expertise necessary to modify the Andean "decision" covering competition, and a support to the Secretary General and the Andean Tribunal. The Commission will also provides technical assistance to Bolivia and Ecuador, of which the legislation in the field of competition is less developed than in the other Andean countries (Venezuela, Columbia and Peru).
