MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

EU: “Latinamerica no longer major priority”.

Holland which since July 1, and for the next six months, presides over the European Union said it will do its outmost to conclude a trade agreement with Mercosur by next October.

However "it won't be easy" since "Latinamerica is no longer EU major priority", admitted Joop Nijssen, spokesperson for the EU Dutch presidency.

The conclusion of a free trade agreement with Mercosur and preparing for similar accords with the Community of Andean Nations and Central America are the priorities of the new EU presidency regarding Latinamerica, although they are not at top of the agenda.

However before proceeding to address negotiations leading to association and free trade agreements with Central America and CAN, EU will assess the degree of integration in both regions since this is an essential issue of the overall discussion.

The Dutch EU presidency, according to spokesperson Joop Nijssen will also be looking into three other delicate issues involving human and civil rights, Cuba, Venezuela and Colombia.

In Cuba the EU is demanding a transition to democracy and liberation of all dissidents. If there are advances, such as dissidents celebrating Christmas in European embassies in Havana, last year's economic sanctions could be made more flexible.

Mr. Nijssen added that the EU presidency wants the whole 25 members of the expanded Europe to demand the suspension of the US Helms-Burton bill, and "not individually, to make the whole issue more coherent".

Regarding Venezuela there will be a close monitoring of the political situation leading to the August 15 recall referendum against president Hugo Chavez, a process plagued with claims of irregularities, violence and intimidation.

Finally the new EU presidency will follow closely developments involving peace and disarmament talks between the Colombia government and para-military groups and guerrilla movements