Chile drives for more integration between regional blocs: newspaper

Chile is driving for more integration between the Pacific Alliance and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), La Tercera daily reported on Tuesday.

"Chile understands the benefits of greater commercial openness and has positioned itself as a natural leader for the convergence of the Pacific Alliance and Mercosur," Fernanda Perez, a Chilean journalist, wrote in an article entitled "Chile: Pacific Alliance and Mercosur", published by the daily.

The Pacific Alliance is made up of Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico while Mercosur has five members -- Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The Pacific Alliance has made important strides since it was launched in 2012, and this is particularly impressive compared with "negative responses" to the the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), according to Perez.

After years of a protectionist mentality, the Mercosur countries are becoming increasingly receptive to the Pacific Alliance, Perez believed.

"While some in Europe or the United States are questioning and denying the benefits of integration, many in Latin America welcome them," Perez continued.

"Chile's long-term vision is that a larger convergence with Mercosur is of high strategic importance. These actions are particularly valuable, especially at a time when the world is moving in the opposite direction," she wrote, mentioning Britain's exit from the European Union.

"The countries of the Alliance understand that, to navigate today's uncertain difficult world, strength lies in unity, especially in negotiations with other blocs and regions," she added. Endi