MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

German industry praises EU-Mercosur talks.

The president of the Confederation of German Industry, BDI, Michael Rogowski said this Tuesday in Stuttgart that the European Union is committed to consolidate its position as Mercosur's main trading partner.

Speaking during the opening of the German-Brazilian Business forum, Mr. Rogowski said that 25% of Mercosur overseas trade is with EU member countries.

"We want to ensure a growing share of trade and would also like to see the elimination of internal barriers in Mercosur", indicated Mr. Rogowski addressing over 300 businessmen from Germany and Brazil.

Brazilian Development, Industry and Foreign Trade Minister Luiz Fernando Furlan stressed Germany's responsibility in the current trade and cooperation talks for an association agreement between Mercosur and EU.

"You should be the locomotive of theses negotiations", underlined Mr. Furlan.

Mr. Rogowski recalled that cooperation and trade talks between both blocks started in 1999 and 2004 should signal a new beginning for bilateral relations.

"We're on the correct path for achieving this unique project, the EU-Mercosur association pact", added the BDI president.

For Mr. Rogowski this strategic alliance would create the world's largest free trade area with almost 700 million consumers and a GDP equivalent to 12 trillion US dollars.