Guayaquil, December 4 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told South American leaders and delegates meeting in the Ecuadorean port of Guayaquil that regional integration is crucial in facing economic crises, while also criticizing sectors of the press that serve financial interests against socialist.

“The media of the powerful financial centers poison political projects based on lies and prejudice. This has been a coordinated attack but the people have not been intimidated and voters have rejected the neo-liberal agenda,” he stated.

He congratulated people and governments of the countries which managed to win in the elections despite relentless media campaigns orchestrated by the press subservient to finance capital.

Lula delivered his lecture titled “Unity and Integration of Latin America and the Caribbean: Past, present and future” at the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) presidential summit taking place Thursday and Friday in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

In his speech, Lula recognized the important role of regional integration in overcoming the global economic crisis, which has created circumstances that hinder economic growth and the regional integration process.

“The more we integrate the more able we will be to overcome crisis. Integration is part of the solution.” He underlined that economic and social equality in the region can not be attained exclusively through social policies but rather the promotion of small and medium sized businesses as a means to generate higher income and create dignified employment.

Lula pointed out that a key aspect of integration includes social inclusion and the notion of regional citizenship.

On Friday, the leaders of the UNASUR bloc will travel to Quito to inaugurate the new UNASUR headquarters located about 18 miles north of the capital city.