The European Union Trade Commissioner Karen De Gucht anticipates a full trade agreement with Mercosur will be reached in a “short time” given the negotiations “unusual” speed but also cautioned about new challenges such as currencies over or under appreciation.
Brazil expects Venezuela’s full incorporation to Mercosur to be approved “soon” said Foreign Affairs minister Antonio Patriota during a meeting on Monday in Caracas with his peer Nicolas Maduro in Caracas to reaffirm strong bilateral links.
European Union Trade commissioner Karel de Gutch said Monday he strongly believes the EU will reach a trade agreement with Mercosur because “this is the moment” and both sides are committed to conclude negotiations positively.
Argentina has stopped the import of high-class luxury cars and redoubled efforts to convince companies with no assembly plants in Mercosur to reduce imports and reach export agreements with Argentine auto parts industry.
The Paraguayan political system is willing to consider the incorporation of Venezuela to Mercosur as a full member if there is a “significant gesture or compensation” from the government of President Hugo Chavez, according to congressional sources in Asunción.
The European Union Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht will travel next week to Paraguay and Uruguay to reinforce bilateral relations and to advance on the ongoing EU/Mercosur negotiations to reach an overall trade and cooperation agreement.
In her first overseas visit as Brazilian president, Dilma Rousseff ratified Monday in Buenos Aires the “special strategic” relation with Argentina while her counterpart Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, CFK, called for an “increased productive integration” between the two leading Mercosur partners.
Colombia’s request to formally join Mercosur will be addressed during the group’s next summit to be held in Paraguay June 24th, revealed Paraguayan Foreign Affairs minister Hector Lacognata.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff will arrive in Argentina on Monday on her first foreign trip as president.
Uruguayan President Jose Mujica is visiting Venezuela and today held talks with President Hugo Chavez at the Miraflores presidential Palace.