At the meeting of Andean Economic community (CAN) Heads of State in Colombia, Venezuela has proposed a meeting of CAN and Southern Cone Economic Community (Mercosur) presidents sometime in August to polish up terms leading to greater integration between the continent's two main economic blocks. 

The proposal has met with acceptance and the meeting will seek to unite criteria and positions in negotiations with the USA regarding the Free Trade for the Americas Agreement (FTAA) on the one hand, and talks with the European Union (EU) on the other. 

Brazilian President Ignacio Lula da Silva was a special guest at the CAN meeting and has confirmed Brazil's position that sees the integration of CAN and Mercosur as a tool to re-launch and increase continental negotiating power. 

Lula da Silva says FTAA negotiations must take into account equality in the negotiation process, free access of Latin American goods inside the USA and discussion of technological issues at the World Trade Organization (WTO). 

CAN Heads of State have ratified their commitment towards integration with Mercosur and have fixed the end of 2003  as deadline.