MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguay-France urge approval of Mercosur-EU deal

The urge in reaching a Mercosur-European Union free trade agreement was highlighted Monday by Uruguayan and French presidents Tabare Vazquez and Jacques Chirac during a meeting of both leaders in Paris.

Uruguayan president Vazquez who is currently on an official visit to France described the meeting as "highly positive" and underlined President Chirac's haste in concluding the trade and cooperation agreement negotiations which have stretched for several years in spite of the original 2004 timetable.

Actually European agriculture policy and restricted access to certain Mercosur economy sectors remain as the main obstacles. A Mercosur-EU leaders' summit is scheduled for next April in Vienna when supposedly a formal signing of the understanding should take place.

The two leaders also addressed science and research issues, particularly in medicine and cancer, with France promising to grant funds and scholarships for Uruguayan students and professionals to continue advancing in France.

Later in the day addressing the Paris Institute of Political Sciences, president Vazquez stressed the importance of Venezuela's integration as member of Mercosur next December. Uruguay currently holds the Mercosur chair until January. "Venezuela will provide solidarity, as it has done in the Caribbean and will act as a balancing factor between the two large members of Mercosur, Argentina and Brazil", argued Mr. Vazquez who discarded any threats to democratic stability because "the administration of President Hugo Chavez is democratic and legitimate".

Uruguayan Foreign Affairs Minister Reynaldo Gargano also pointed out the strategic significance of Venezuela for Mercosur, which will now extend "from the Caribbean to Tierra del Fuego".

"The legitimacy of the Venezuelan government has been ratified on several occasions by at least 60% of the electorate", underlined Mr. Gargano recalling that this is something which "many tend to forget as they also try to forget the illegality of those who sponsored a coup against President Chavez".

Mr. Gargano claimed there's a media tendency "to judge a legitimate government" and to extend lukewarm condemnation of those "who have publicly called for the killing of President Chavez".

President Vazquez and several cabinet ministers concluded in France a two weeks tour of Europe which also included state visits to Spain, Germany and Italy.