Bogotá, August 7, 2006 (SNE).- This Monday in Bogotá, the four Member Countries of the Andean Community (CAN) formalized their invitation to Chile to join the group as an Associate Member. 

The invitation was extended directly to the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, by the Presidents of Colombia, Álvaro Uribe Vélez; Peru, Alan García Pérez; and Ecuador, Alfredo Palacio Gonzáles, together with the Vice-President of Bolivia, Álvaro García Linera, who together handed the Chilean leader a letter to that effect. 

“We have the great honor of addressing Your Excellency to express the strong interest of the Member Countries of the Andean Community in having the fraternal Republic of Chile bring to fruition its stated aspiration of deepening its relations with the subregional integration organization through its incorporation as an Associate Member,” the letter reads.  

It goes on to add that the Member Countries of the Andean Community are convinced that Chile’s participation as an Associate Member of the CAN will significantly reinforce efforts to deepen integration in the region and will make it possible for the CAN to effectively converge with MERCOSUR, with a view toward consolidating the South American Community of Nations.