Brussels, 03/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - At a summit in Argentina on Tuesday 1 July, the Latin American economic community MERCOSUR and partners slammed the EU Returns Directive recently adopted by the European Parliament (see EUROPE 9685). In the final declaration by the ten Latin American governments attending the summit, the presidents of MERCOSUR and associated countries rejected all plans to criminalize illegal immigration and adopt restrictive immigration policies aimed at the most vulnerable people, women and children. The statement stressed the need to combat racism, discrimination, xenophobia and all other forms of intolerance. The President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, suggested measures might be taken in retaliation against the Returns Directive by interrupting the current trade talks between the ANDEAN community and the EU. The most virulent criticism came from the Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, who said that action would have to be foreseen if civilised Europe legalises barbarity. (B.C.)