The Listín Diario revealed that President Leonel Fernández, in a recognition of his regional leadership, has been invited to participate in the summits of the Group of Three and Group of Rio. Minister of Foreign Relations Eduardo Latorre confirmed the information. Presidents of Andean Group nations – Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Panama (observer) – will meet next month in Cartagena, Colombia . Likewise, Presidents of the Group of Rio – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela – will meet in Mexico. The Listin Diario revealed that a technical commission of the Group of Rio approved the admission of DR and five other Central American nations to that Latin American forum. The Dominican Republic sought admission in the Group of Rio on grounds that it is not a member of any other regional integration scheme, and its relations with Central America and the English-speaking Caribbean (Caricom) are based on trade agreements. President Eduardo Frei of Chile is supporting the DR’s interest in being admitted to the Group of Rio. President Fernández will participate in the Summit of Heads of State of the European Union with Latin America and the Caribbean set for 28 and 29 June in Rio de Janeiro. The newspaper said that President Fernández expects to attend the inaugural of President Francisco Guillermo Flores.
