EU prepared for talks with an expanded Mercosur that includes Venezuela
The European Commission has said it will continue negotiations on an association agreement with Mercosur even if Venezuela finally becomes a full member of the group and will address the issue on a “region to region” basis.
“The EC takes note of the possible incorporation of Venezuela to Mercosur. If the incorporation is confirmed Venezuela will then be participating in the EU/Mercosur negotiations” said EC sources regarding the latest events in the South American trade block.
“However it is important to underline that the EU will only negotiate with Mercosur on a region to region basis and not bilaterally with any of the countries” that make up the trade space.
In its latest summit Mercosur members Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay suspended the fourth member Paraguay, following considerations that President Fernando Lugo was removed from office in a manner contrary to the group’s democratic clause.
At the summit they also announced that Venezuela will become the fifth full member in a coming Mercosur meeting scheduled for July 31 in Rio do Janeiro.
Even when Venezuela’s access to Mercosur was approved by the four countries presidents in 2006, the legislative confirmation had been repeatedly blocked by the Paraguayan congress.
The EU and Mercosur were scheduled to resume this week in Brasilia a new round of negotiations following on the group’s rotating chair passing on to Brazil from Argentina, for the next six months. However EU sources said that the round has been postponed for the 23/27 July week, but yet to be confirmed.
EU and Mercosur have been negotiating since 2000 an association agreement that encompasses free trade and strengthening cooperation and political dialogue. But talks were suspended in 2004 because of delays with the Doha Round to liberalize global trade, which both sides considered crucial. Talks were resumed in 2010 in Madrid.
The two blocks have yet to agree on the exchange of the access market lists of goods since European countries are concerned with the possible impact on EU farmers of the influx of more efficient produced (and cheaper) Mercosur agriculture.
Mercosur has also complained about the subsidies and farm price policies implemented by the EU in support of its agriculture which fringe on protectionism.
Likewise lately there is growing concern about the legal security of investments following on Argentina’s decision in mid April to seize a 51% majority in YPF from the Spanish oil and gas corporation Repsol.
Suggested Stories
-
May 20th 2013
Brazil trapped by Argentina and Venezuela economic mismanagements
-
May 15th 2013
Paraguay on Independence Day blasts Argentina and Brazil over “power resource exploitation”
-
May 21st 2013
Massive money easing in rich countries making Latam currencies too strong
-
May 18th 2013
Maduro admits to knowing “the IDs and all” of the 900.000 Chavistas who did not vote for him
11 comments Feed
Note: Comments do not reflect MercoPress’ opinions. They are the personal view of our users. We wish to keep this as open and unregulated as possible. However, rude or foul language, discriminative comments (based on ethnicity, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation or the sort), spamming or any other offensive or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. Please report any inadequate posts to the editor. Comments must be in English. Thank you.
, mean desperate decisions .
And the EU may well be desperate,
.
Did you expect them to follow ideologies?
Ideologies are for their footfolks, themselves follows the ca$h :)
as long as they dont have to pay for it,
[germany we mean]
how big is a 'region'?
Perhaps Brasil+Uruguay? Meat
Perhaps Argentina+Paraguay? Soy
Perhaps Venezuela+Brasil? Oil
Or perhaps even an 'across-bloc' trade deal, depending on the commodity:
Perhaps Chile+Argentina for wine, gold, etc???
Time for pragmatism.
The world will work for the betterment of each other and a happy and safe society,
Rather than at the moment,
for the betterment of the rich greedy and powerful, at the determent of the poor.
.
Deals with Brazil and Uruguay ignoring the idiotic parts of mercosur
#9 I believe that too. Thats why I support the Latin American left who are moving closest to that new world in the world today
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!