South American countries create Prosur in Chile

SANTIAGO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- South American countries on Friday launched the Forum for the Progress of South America (Prosur), a new regional bloc which seeks the "integration and strengthening of the region."

Presidents and representatives from Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Paraguay and Guyana signed a joint declaration to create "a regional space of coordination and cooperation, without exclusion of ideologies" at a meeting in Santiago.

The bloc intends to "advance toward a more effective integration, that allows contribution to growth, progress and development" for the nations, said the declaration.

Prosur was driven by Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and Colombian President Ivan Duque, with a goal of strengthening regional ties and replacing the 12-member Union of South American Nations (Unasur) which started in 2008.

Prosur is a forum "without ideology and bureaucracy, but with a total commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights," Pinera said Friday.

The alliance would provide a forum for South American countries to work together, make their voices heard and achieve more freedom, integration and development, he said.

Chile will lead Prosur for one year before Paraguay takes helm.