Lima, Nov. 15, 2004 The Andean agenda is being enriched by an exercise in reflection, at the highest level, on subjects like development, bilateralism, multilateralism, and the growing competitive trade presence of the Andean countries in an increasingly globalized world.

These are the subjects to be addressed by Latin American specialists gathered in Lima to attend the International Seminar “Integration and Development: Options for Latin America,” starting today, which is organized by the Andean Community General Secretariat, the Latin American Trade Network, and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and.

Speaking at the opening session today, Andean Community Secretary General Allan Wagner drew attention to the importance of this exercise in reflection and to those that will be held in coming weeks on subjects like employment, growth, and development.

He informed those present that the Regional Andean Conference on Employment will be held in Lima next Monday and Tuesday, at which the Ministers of Labor and of Economy of the CAN countries will look into the reasons why there is growth, but not enough jobs are being created and into the needs of the labor market from the standpoint of international competitiveness.

Wagner explained that this situation of economic growth without the creation of sufficient employment is widespread. The exercise in reflection at the Employment Conference is expected to produce proposals and recommendations for the meeting of Andean Presidents.

He reported that the Presidents, meeting at the Andean Summit to be held in Cusco this coming December 7th, will discuss development from the standpoint of their confirmation that the economy is growing, but not employment. "It is becoming increasingly evident that macroeconomic stability is not enough, of itself, to generate the quality growth that will produce new jobs,” the Secretary General pointed out.

He explained in this connection that what is expected of this Summit is a redirection back to active policies that permit the development of fundamental sectors in our countries, like small and medium-size enterprises, the rural sector, and farmers, as well as certain areas where territorial policies need to be implemented, like the border areas.

Wagner also confirmed that with the convergence of Mercosur and the Andean Community, together with Chile, Suriname, and Guyana, the Summit of South American Presidents to be held in Cusco and Ayacucho on December 8 ^th would mark the birth of the South American Community of Nations.