Economy
The Brazilian government is confident that the Senate will approve Venezuela's membership of Mercosur, as reviewed by a commission which will meet on Thursday with Caracas Metropolitan Mayor Antonio Ledezma, official sources said on Wednesday.

"Venezuela's adhesion to Mercosur is just a matter of time, even though in the Congress some Senators are opposed to that country's incorporation into the bloc," composed by Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay, Marco Aurelio García, the International Affairs Advisor to the Brazilian Presidency, told TV Brasil, Efe quoted.

García considered that after listening to the opinion of Ledezma, who has also requested Venezuela's inclusion in Mercosur, the Senate Foreign Affairs Commission will back the stance.

The parliamentary group has plans to vote the subject next Thursday 29th, one week after hearing Mayor Ledezma.

In recent remarks made to Brazilian newspapers, and regardless of being among the staunchest opponents of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, Ledezma supported Venezuela's membership in Mercosur.

"Brazil and other member states need to accept Venezuela in Mercosur, for one single reason that seems logic: President Chávez will be more dangerous if isolated," he reasoned.