MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Mexico and Mercosur trade talks

Mercosur and Mexico will begin Friday in Asuncion, Paraguay a round of trade talks, a follow up of what was agreed a year ago in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina.

The Mexican delegation is headed by Deputy Trade Minister Angel Villalobos and Mercosur will be represented by his Paraguayan counterpart Ruben Martinez who also is responsible for integration affairs.

Paraguay currently holds the rotational chair of Mercosur until next July 1.

"The meeting will help define criteria for negotiations on a free trade area, as was agreed at the XXVI meeting of the Mercosur Council on July 8/2004".

At that meeting Mexico was accepted as an associate member of Mercosur, following the first approach dating back to July 2002 when both sides signed an Economic Complementation Agreement.

Mexico and Mercosur interest in continuing trade talks was confirmed last March during Mexican president Vicente Fox official visit to Paraguay.

Paraguayan president Nicanor Duarte then proposed the dates for the beginning of the trade talks round.