La Paz, February 28 (RHC) -- The Andean Parliament called on South American nations Thursday to deepen integration beyond the economic and trade fields to achieve greater unity.

Presiding over the opening of the parliament's 44th session in Coroico, a town in the La Paz Department of western Bolivia, Andean Parliament President Pedro De La Cruz stressed the importance of the integration achieved so far through such mechanisms as the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas, the Southern Common Market, the Union of South American Nations and the parliament itself.

De La Cruz expressed concern about the creation of the Pacific Alliance by Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile, saying the regional bloc only sought to promote trade, despite the need to deepen regional integration in the face of U.S. attempts at regional hegemony.

He also announced the parliament would table a resolution declaring unity with the people of Venezuela and respect for its democratically elected government.

"This is a proposal of solidarity with (Venezuelan) President Nicolas Maduro, elected to a term in keeping with the constitution, and this term must be respected,” said De La Cruz.

The Andean Parliament is the legislative body of the Andean Community of Nations, which includes Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Though Chile is not a member, it has representatives in the parliament.