MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

EU Trade Commissar begins Mercosur tour

The European Union Trade Commissar Peter Mandelson from Britain will be visiting Chile, Argentina and Brazil next week to discuss bilateral issues and promote international trade negotiations.

"It's my first visit to Latinamerica as the EU Trade Commissar", said Mandelson from Brussels during an audio-conference with journalists from Buenos Aires, Santiago and Brazil in Brasilia.

Activities will focus on "bilateral relations and in the World Trade Organization, WTO. Doha Round trade talks", beginning in Santiago next Monday, March 27.

Mandelson praised Brazil, Argentina and Chile for their thrust and leadership in the G-20 of emerging countries, which are promoting the opening of industrial countries farm produce markets. He also revealed EU willingness to advance on the issue, but taking into account several reciprocal interests.

"I know very well Latinamerica is interested in having access to the European and United States agriculture markets and is doing so through the WTO", but Europe is also interested in having "better access for investments and industrial products in the markets of developing countries and G-20 emerging economies".

"We are also convinced both sides have much to loose if we abandon an ambitious agreement", underlined Mr. Mandelson.

Further on the said he was "optimistic" about reaching a trade understanding between the European Union and Mercosur members (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay), although no details of the approach were advanced. Talks between the two blocks have been stalled for months over agriculture subsidies.

In Brazil the EU official is scheduled to visit an ethanol plant (sugar cane alcohol) which the South American country has been successfully promoting as an alternative fuel to hydrocarbons for several decades.

"Both multilaterally and bilaterally there are considerable opportunities to promote trade, business opportunities and investments targets between the EU and Mercosur", highlighted Mandelson.