Brussels, 04/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - A delegation from the European Parliament led by German Social Democrat Rolf Linkhor asserted during a visit to Argentina that international humanitarian aid was needed in the province of Tucaman, seriously effected by a serious economic crisis and political instability. Mr Linkhor declared that the Argentinean political class ought to take the desperate problems of malnutrition and recent deaths, very seriously. The MEP said that these cases were just the tip of the iceberg revealing health care neglect that has gone on for decades. Mr Linkhor said that he was prepared to appeal to Commissioner Lamy in support of some Argentinean demands regarding opening up of the markets (while fully recognising that exports from this country to Europe significantly increased over the last year). According to Mr Linkhor, greater integration into Mercosur is crucial for economic and social upturn in Argentina, whereas it would be an error to favour a free-trade zone in the Americans to the detriment of links with Mercosur.
The parliamentary delegation met with Ministers Ruckauf and Lavagna, as well as different NGOs providing aid on a daily basis to thousands of families.