(TUCUMAN) - A Mercosur trade bloc summit meeting here is expected to condemn the European Union's new immigration rules, discuss plans for regional integration and address the global food crisis.

Ten Mercosur presidents meeting Monday and Tuesday in this arid city at the foot of the Andes will be in earshot of angry farmers pressing their months-long protest of Argentine tax hikes on key crop exports.

Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa, after arriving here Sunday, complained about the European Union's so-called "returns directive" that criminalizes illegal immigration, allowing up to 18 months' detention prior to deportation and banishment from the EU for several years.

Correa called the measure a "shameful directive" and told reporters he would be among the first Mercosur leaders to sign a statement to condemn it.

Bolivian President Evo Morales echoed the sentiments.

"When some Latin Americans try to improve their living conditions in Europe, they come face-to-face with discrimination and racism," he said.

The EU measures, which could come into force in 2010, have been strongly criticized by human rights groups and most Latin American governments, many of whose nationals live in Europe and send millions of dollars back home to their families.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has even threatened to halt oil exports and return European investments in his country to protest the harsh immigration rules.

The Mercosur Parliament, meeting since Friday in this city 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) north of Buenos Aires, condemned the EU measures in a unanimous statement by its 66 members.

In contrast to the EU rules, the Mercosur summit is expected to approve a proposal to eliminate visa travel between all its members, as a step toward regional integration, officials here said.

The trade bloc will also deal with the world and regional food crisis, especially an Argentine proposal to raise export tariffs on regional food exports as a means to curb spiraling prices.

Argentine President Cristina Kirchner, who is facing a tough farmers' strike over her tariff hike decision on soybean exports, said Sunday: "the chief cause of the world food shortage is poorly distributed wealth by oligopolies and financial institutions, and lack of market access."

Leaders of Argentina's farm sector will bring their clash with Kirchner right to the summit's doorstep; they plan to protest the tax in downtown Plaza Alberdi from 2300 GMT, just a few hundred meters from the presidential gathering.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who opposes tariffs and price controls, offered a different solution to the food crisis.

"The more (food) we produce, the more food security we'll have. With fair prices you can increase exports," he told reporters.

Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay formed Mercosur in 1991 with the aim of creating a South American common market. Venezuela signed a membership agreement in 2006 that awaits full ratification. Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru are associate members.

The summit meeting was to run through Monday and Tuesday.

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