MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
‘Argentina’s protectionism’ the great obstacle for EU/Mercosur trade talks
EU Trade Commissioner threatened to take the case to the WTO European Union’s top trade negotiator, Karel de Gucht, accused Argentina of being “the great obstacle” in an association agreement between the EU and Mercosur, and threatened to take the case before the WTO.
“Argentina’s protectionism is creating problems and they are making our exporters nervous, especially in the automotive industry. If the Argentine people do not change their attitude, we may take this case to the World Trade Organization,” De Gucht threatened.
The EU parliamentary committee for Mercosur relations debated the current state of negotiations, which were restarted last year after a long impasse.
The European official admitted that Argentina’s protectionist measures are “damaging negotiations” between both blocs, and added that this could create additional problems that could put an end to the new approach.
However, De Gucht seemed to be cautiously optimistic towards the possibility that both parties “get to sign this historic accord in 2011.”
“From an economic and political point of view, I’m convinced that this agreement will create substantial benefits for both regions” he said.
The negotiator’s statements were made as Agriculture Ministers from all EU countries met in order to discuss any possible negative impact in the farming sector as a result of the agreement between the two regional blocs, the organization’s diplomatic sources explained.
After several years without engaging in direct talks, the European Commission and the Mercosur resumed dialogue in 2010 and since then have had several negotiations rounds, the last in Brussels in March, the next in Asuncion, Paraguay, in May.
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Read all commentsI don't think Argentina needs to be threatened by thugs, lets not forget that Argentina's economy was doing a lot better without the help of pirats. I think it's about time we cut the umbilical cord of our pesty europid cancerous heritage. I hear China, Pakistan and India's economy are growing faster then many EU members..the only thing I can add to the EU thugs threats of going to WTO is, Thanks! but no thanks, and maybe WTO can expain to us, why would we trade with france or brits anything when they violate other nations self determination, I wonder if france and UK expect Argentina to pay for oil thefted from Malvinas Argentina ?
Apr 15th, 2011 - 04:30 am 0http://www.gregpalast.com/the-globalizer-who-came-in-from-the-cold/
NEVER FORGET!
1 Pirate-Hunter-------And you know everything about thugs don't you , and yes we Brits will expect you to pay for oil from the Falklands if the islanders decide to sell it to you seeing that they own it. And you have a nerve to lecture us on violating other people self determination when your country is one of the worst for doing that, Oh and by the way if you take a look I have shown you how to spell Pirate, if you are going to insult us do it right and spell the word pirate properly. you are quite right on one thing though WE NEVER FORGET.
Apr 15th, 2011 - 06:48 am 0We never forget that we can never trust your country.
We never forget that you invaded a peaceful Island in 1982.
We never forget that you would do it again at the drop of a hat if you had the capabilities.
We never forget that your country tries to bully every country in South America
we never forget how your country kidnaped and killed many people.
We never forget that you would have done the same to the people of the Falklands.
In short we never forget anything that you people do.
Comment removed by the editor.
Apr 15th, 2011 - 08:46 am 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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