Three more nations join ALBA

CARACAS, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Antigua and Barbuda formally joined the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) on Wednesday, local media reported.

Ecuador supports the ALBA for its revolutionary ideals which express the sovereignty of the people, said Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa during the accession ceremony.

Winston Baldwin Spencer, prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, said that his country was satisfied with being part of these integration projects.

Ralph Gonsalves, prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, also attended the ceremony, saying his country has expressed the desire of joining the bloc since 2007.

The ALBA is a regional block created in 2004 by Cuba and Venezuela to counter the U.S.-led Free Trade Area of the Americas (ALCA) supported by Canada, Mexico, Colombia and Peru.

Nicaragua, Bolivia, Dominica and Honduras are also members of the ALBA.

Correa ratified on May 25 to join the block, after the country previously attended ALBA meetings as an observer.

The accession of the other two new members was approved during the last ALBA meeting held on April 16 and 17 before the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago.