UNASUR decides to establish South American Parliament in Bolivia

Members of the Union of Latin American Nations (UNASUR) attend a meeting in Cochabamba October 17, 2008
Bolivia's President Evo Morales (L) and his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet wave to the crowd in Cochabamba October 17, 2008. Bachelet is in Bolivia to attend the Union of Latin American Nations (UNASUR) meeting
Bolivia's President Evo Morales (L) shakes hands with his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet during a meeting in Cochabamba October 17, 2008. Bachelet is in Bolivia to attend the Union of Latin American Nations (UNASUR)

LIMA, Oct. 17-- The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) decided at a meeting on Friday to set up a South American Parliament in Bolivia to promote the bloc's integration.

Chilean President Michele Bachelet, also the UNASUR's temporary president, and Bolivian President Evo Morales opened the meeting in Bolivia's Cochabamba province which drew representatives from 12 countries in the region.

"There are many tasks that the UNASUR is urged to accomplish, as part of the Latin American and Caribbean efforts," Bachelet said.

Bolivian Vice President Alvaro Garcia said that UNASUR members consider it necessary to promote the construction of the institutionalism and the first step is for UNASUR members to present their proposals on the establishment of the Parliament.

During the meeting, the participating countries agreed to appoint in 45 days their representatives to work on the proposals and to meet again in Cochabamba in mid-January in 2009 on the issue.

The meeting also agreed to create a working table formed by representatives from the UNASUR, the Andean Parliament and the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR).

The establishment of the parliament "could take weeks or months" as the proposals will have to go through a long procedure to get approved, Garcia said.