Unasur summit to be held in Ecuador

The Summit of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) will be held on Monday to discuss global economic crisis, regional security and other issues of common concern.

As the successor of the South American Community of Nations (CSN) which was dropped in the first South American Energy Summit on April 16,

2007, UNASUR was set up in 2008, bringing together Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The summit coincides with the inauguration of Rafael Correa for a second term as Ecuadorian president on Monday.

Ecuador is set to take over the rotating presidency of UNASUR from Chile which has led the organization for one year.

The 12-member bloc is likely to issue a formal condemnation of the June 28 coup in Honduras that removed President Manuel Zelaya from power.

The issue of Colombia’s plan to allow the U.S. use of its seven military bases will also be discussed at the summit.

Colombia has had no diplomatic ties with host Ecuador for more than a year, due to a cross-border army raid on a camp of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels on Ecuadorian soil.

The conflict intensified since Bogota was considering granting the U.S. military increased access to the military bases within the country, displeasing many South American nations.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has voiced strong opposition to Colombia’s plans and moved to freeze ties with Bogota as well as recalling the ambassador.

The heads of state will also evaluate the effects of global economic crisis, which has taken a toll on South American economies.

Meanwhile, UNASUR has to face long-standing conflicts such as the row between Argentina and Uruguay over a cellulose plant along their border.

Brazil and Paraguay have also disagreed over the price of electricity sold to Brazil from a hydroelectric dam in Itaipu.

UNASUR was set up to promote integration among South American countries. Leaders of UNASUR members meet once every year and their foreign ministers gather once every six months.