Parliamentary representatives of the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) member countries and nations associated with the bloc agreed here Monday to begin "working on the creation of a joint parliament" for the region.

The decision was adopted at a meeting attended by regional leaders and parliament members who also agreed to "promote the cooperation of the bloc's member congresses and strengthen Mercosur's Joint Parliamentary Commission," reports here said.

A working agenda that stipulates meetings every six months in different places in the region to consolidate the initiatives was also defined.

Argentine Vice President Daniel Scioli and former President Eduardo Duhalde attended the meeting. They both stressed the importance of parliamentary integration to cope with the common problems in the region.

Duhalde, who is also a member of Mercosur's Permanent Representatives Commission, and the rest of the speakers also agreed on the need to "strengthen the role of the parliaments" in the region.

The Common Market of the South has "much more than a trade issue," they said.

The Mercosur comprises Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay,with Chile and Bolivia as its associated members.

Meanwhile, the second meeting of parliamentary presidents of Mercosur and associated countries was launched Monday in Paraguay's capital Asuncion, with the attendance of Paraguay President Nicanor Duarte Frutos.

Source: Xinhua