Lula stood up for his proposal to establish a South American Defence Council to integrate the region's defence industries and help overcome tensions. The proposal was presented in recent weeks by Brazilian Defence Minister Nelson Jobim but has encountered resistance particularly from Colombia.

"It is time to strengthen our continent in the field of defence. We have to articulate a vision of defence in the region that is based on common values and principles, like respect for sovereignty. I think we have to discuss that initiative here," Lula told his peers.

Uribe, however, again expressed his opposition to the proposal and argued that the region already has the Organization of Am[b]...

Lula stood up for his proposal to establish a South American Defence Council to integrate the region's defence industries and help overcome tensions. The proposal was presented in recent weeks by Brazilian Defence Minister Nelson Jobim but has encountered resistance particularly from Colombia.

"It is time to strengthen our continent in the field of defence. We have to articulate a vision of defence in the region that is based on common values and principles, like respect for sovereignty. I think we have to discuss that initiative here," Lula told his peers.

Uribe, however, again expressed his opposition to the proposal and argued that the region already has the Organization of American States (OAS) to overcome conflicts.

Uribe also said an obstacle for such a Defence Council is the resistance of some South American countries, including Brazil, to define the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) as "terrorists."