La Paz, April 13 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) The Argentine government will welcome Bolivia becoming a member of MERCOSUR -- the Common Market of the South -- members of an Argentinean delegation visiting La Paz said Thursday.

In remarks to journalists, Under Secretary of Economic Integration Ernesto Sigal explained that aspects of Bolivia’s request to join the bloc were assessed during a recent meeting in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Founded in 1991, MERCOSUR promotes free trade and movement of goods, peoples and currency, with proposals for political integration, for its members, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Paraguay.

Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru currently are associate members.

Sigali expressed the hope that MERCOSUR members will overcome the difficulties for Bolivia, which intends to be a member of MERCOSUR as well as a member of the Andean Community of Nations (CAN).