Bolivia is close to be included in 2014 Dakar Rally

 　　LA PAZ, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia's President Evo Morales Wednesday said his country "is close" to be included in the 2014 Dakar Rally, due to the negotiations¹ held with organizers of the international motoring event.

　　"We are close to achieve the goal, due to we have held negotiations for two or three years. My government will continue negotiating, with the participation² of our institutions and experts in the motoring issue to guarantee this international event," said Morales during a public event.

　　Before the beginning of the 2013 Dakar Rally Jan. 5, Bolivia was informed that to be part of the 2014 edition, the country needs the support of Peru and Argentina, besides investing some four million U.S. dollars for the organization.

　　At the beginning of January, Minister of the Presidency³ Juan Ramon Quintana and Culture Minister Pablo Groux said they began the negotiations in Lima, Peru, with the representatives of Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), the rally's organizer.

　　About the negotiations, Morales said that according to the last meeting held by Groux and Quintana with the organizers,"they have advanced a lot."Morales asked all the government's institutions and authorities to be prepared to contribute in the possible development of the rally in Bolivia.

　　On the other hand, Quintana said Dakar Rally is an open door so that Bolivia can show the world its tourism capacity and its current economic growth.

　　Quintana said Bolivia has the conditions to be part of the international motoring competence⁴ and that it's essential to position Bolivia as a country brand in the world context and the rally is the door for this tourism goal.

　　The minister added that Bolivia's participation in Dakar Rally will be useful to promote extraordinary tourist sites, such as Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat, as well as the Bolivian Amazonian and tropical regions, among others.

1 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

2 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

3 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

4 competence   

n.能力，胜任，称职

参考例句：

• This mess is a poor reflection on his competence.这种混乱情况说明他难当此任。
• These are matters within the competence of the court.这些是法院权限以内的事。