'Latin American integration a must'

Cuba: Cuba's Council of Ministers Vice President Ramiro Valdes, highlighted on Friday the need to advance in the regional integration process during the inauguration of the 40th Meeting of Ministers of the Latin American Integration Organization (OLADE).

The meeting was presided over by OLADE Executive Secretary Carlos A. Florez, Cuban Ministers Yadira Garcia (Basic Industry) and Rodrigo Malmierca (Foreign Trade and Investment), among others.

Today, MERCOSUR, the Group of Rio, CARICOM, ALBA and ALBA-linked PETROCARIBE are examples that countries of the area started a definite path to make themselves be taken into account and respected on the world scene, said Valdes.

He referred to reflections by Cuban Leader Fidel Castro entitled "A Species in Danger of Extintion" and "The Serious Obama," as a significant contribution to projections of OLADE actions.

He noted that efforts, projects and programs under more just principles of solidarity not depending on foreign interests are being agreed in the region.

Together we can face great challenges posed by world capitalist crisis, one of the most shocking elements of which is the international energy crisis and its severe impact on the economy and the environment, the Cuban official said.

Havana, Prensa Latina