Salles is at the forefront of a new wave of Latin American cinema and has played a central role cultivating a sense of unity among the region's filmmakers.

CNN: Walter Salles: Back on the road

Politicians of all stripes initially appeared to have taken the message on board: the prime minister, Janez Jansa, said on February 17th that it was too early to say when Slovenia would recognise Kosovo, and stressed the importance of "guaranteeing stability in the region and maximum EU unity".

ECONOMIST: Paying a price for recognising Kosovo's independence

The prize is to reward significant contribution, in any region of the world, to the unity and integration of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, and to the preservation of their identities, cultural traditions and historical values.

UNESCO: Apply for UNESCO Prizes

Internationally, he was an outspoken advocate of Latin American unity and a staunch critic of US influence in the region.

BBC: Hugo Chavez's body to stay on display in Venezuela

"It is clear that the proposed unity is not one meant to unify the people of the region, " he said.

CNN: Protesters decry unity plans in Bahrain

Chavez has been seen as a symbol of Latin American unity and regional economic integration even as many countries in the region support this idea including conservative ones.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Unasur-1

From 1991 to 2000, Mr. Menkerios represented the Eritrean Government in various capacities, including as Ambassador to Ethiopia and the Organisation of African Unity, Special Envoy to Somalia and also the Great Lakes region, and as Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

UN: Secretary-General

And he was also expected speak by phone to Massoud Barzani, president of the oil-rich autonomous region of Kurdistan, to stress the importance of maintaining Iraq's unity.

BBC: Kerry presses Iraq on Iran weapons flights to Syria