MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

OAS leader compares the 'dynamic imbalance' in trade talks EU/US and EU with Mercosur

EU/Mercosur trade talks that have been going for seventeen years, said Insulza

The dynamic imbalance in trade negotiations is clearly evident in the case of trade negotiations of Canada and the US with the European Union, and what happens with EU/Mercosur trade talks that have been going for seventeen years, with no clear results yet, according to OAS Secretary General Miguel Insulza.

 “The clearest example we have of this dynamic imbalance in the case of trade negotiations between Canada and the European Union, and between the United States and the European Union, which have been much more significant than those between Mercosur and the European Union, that have been being negotiated since 17 years ago” pointed out Insulza during a debate sponsored by John Hopkins University on the Atlantic Basin Initiative.

“It is an imbalance to which we must pay attention to, if we want to achieve greater inclusiveness” insisted Insulza during the presentation of the document “A New Atlantic Community: Generating Growth, Human Development and Security in the Atlantic Hemisphere”

The event, held at the headquarters of the Johns Hopkins University in Washington, DC, also featured former President of the Government of Spain, and leader of this initiative of the Center for Transatlantic Relations of that educational institution, José María Aznar; former World Bank President and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, Paul Wolfowitz; the Director of Latin American Studies Program at Johns Hopkins University, Riordan Roett; the Ambassador of the European Union in the United States, Joao Vale de Almeida, and the founder the UN Millennium Campaign, Eveline Herfkens .

In his presentation, Secretary General Insulza highlighted the objectives of the Atlantic Basin Initiative and its vision to support sustainable growth, human development and security in the countries on both sides of the ocean. However, he said that there are some concerns that should be considered to maximize the potential of this venture.

Insulza called for a “mega block” of Atlantic nations that is not seen as a competition or rivalry with other blocks, but, on the contrary, one that encourages inclusion and responds appropriately to the economic and human development realities and needs of the countries that compose it, with a broad and inclusive view of globalization.

It is important to find a balance in terms of inclusion, leadership and participation between North and South on both sides of the Atlantic, a balance which does not exist today 'although most OAS member countries are located on the Atlantic side of the hemisphere and their role and participation are critical to the success of a project of the magnitude of the redefinition of the Atlantic space.

Finally Insulza called for the creation of a forum for dialogue where the main actors of developed and developing countries are involved to reach consensus and initiatives common to the entire region.