Caracas, July 31 (PL-RHC) -- The Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) alliance has expressed its decision to strengthen trade and relations in favor of development.

A 15-page document includes all the agreements among the members during the 46th Ordinary Meeting of the regional bloc, held on Tuesday at the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry headquarters in Caracas.

The document reiterates the commitment to strengthening integration, unity and regional coordination, by means of permanent political negotiation, which guarantees the sovereignty of the region and preserves South America as a zone of peace.

It also reaffirms the irrevocable willingness to strengthen democracy, constitutional order and to promote and protect fundamental human rights.

Member states ratified the importance of preserving growth of the economies of MERCOSUR countries and the associate states and maximize their development potential.

They highlighted the Declaration of former Presidents Hugo Chavez (Venezuela) and Nestor Kirchner (Argentina), as Illustrious Citizens of MERCOSUR, acknowledging their leadership as builders of Latin American and Caribbean integration, based on recognition of the historic bonds of regional brotherhood, sovereignty, independence and freedom.

MECSOSUR member states agreed on the importance of consolidating the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) as a forum for political negotiation and coordination. And they expressed their gratitude to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the Government of Venezuela and the people for their hospitality during the regional bloc's summit.