The Andean Community Member Countries hail the decision made by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to become a full member of MERCOSUR. This will help advance the construction of the South American Community of Nations, a project to which the Andean Presidents have reiterated their steadfast commitment.

In this connection, they reaffirm their intent to expedite the construction of the South American Community through the joint efforts of the CAN, MERCOSUR and Chile, with the participation of Guyana and Suriname, in order to bring about its materialization in keeping with the agreements adopted at the Cusco and Brasilia Summits. .

The Member Countries further ratify their will to continue implementing the guidelines emanating from the Lima Andean Council of Presidents, particularly those regarding the social agenda, development with a social inclusion perspective, energy integration and the environment, and humanitarian cooperation as an expression of solidarity with our poorest and most vulnerable social sectors, together with all of the commitments included in the new strategic design adopted by the Presidents.

They also confirm that a special session of the Andean Council of Presidents will be held on January 30 and 31, 2006 in Venezuela.

Montevideo, December 9, 2005