MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

New EU-Mercosur target: Vienna May 2006

European Union Foreign Affairs Commissar Benita Ferrero-Waldner called for a resumption of bilateral talks with Mercosur and strong political will “from both sides” so as to achieve an agreement next year in Vienna.

Ms. Ferrero-Waldner, currently visiting Brasilia anticipated that an EU-Mercosur ministerial meeting will be convened before the end of the European summer, probably September, in Brussels to try and put back on track bilateral discussions leading to a free trade agreement between both blocks.

The meeting will have the purpose of "advancing negotiations and conclude the agreement we've been discussing for over five years, in May 2006 during the Vienna EU-Latinamerica summit".

"Both sides lately have tried to revitalize dialogue, but it hasn't been easy", admitted the European delegate emphasizing that the meeting now must be at "political level", that is ministerial level, and not experts or technicians meetings.

"What is needed is political will from both sides, EU and Mercosur", she insisted.

When asked if the recent NO in the European constitution referendums in France and Holland had had an impact in the EU negotiation capacity, Ms. Ferrero-Waldner flatly denied it.

"We're working very well based on the agreements we already have", highlighted the EU delegate who will also be visiting Uruguay, currently holding Mercosur's chair and Peru, presiding over the Andean Nations Community, CAN.

EU and CAN have also expressed willingness to begin negotiations leading to a free trade and cooperation agreement.

"We're currently assessing the situation, which will take some time, but I guess we can say that "if we can begin talks during the Vienna summit it would be very good".