Mercosur

Tuesday, May 12th 2015 - 06:05 UTC
Argentine presidential election next 25 October and run-off 22 November

The Argentina government formally announced on Monday the primary and national elections calendar, which for the first time includes direct vote for representatives to the Mercosur parliament. Simultaneous primaries will be held on 9 August while the presidential election on 25 October.
Monday, May 11th 2015 - 10:16 UTC
Vazquez and Rousseff meeting will address Mercosur/EU trade negotiations

Uruguay and Brazil presidents, scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting next 21 May in Brasilia will be addressing Mercosur issues, and advancing in the proposal that will allow the group's members to sign bilateral agreements with third parties not belonging to the region, thus avoiding the 'consensus' clause clamp.
Thursday, May 7th 2015 - 06:55 UTC
Brazil wants to review Mercosur 'liberty' rules; sends strong public message to Argentina

Brazil has proposed reviewing Mercosur rules so that its members can enjoy more 'liberty' to negotiate trade agreements with other blocks or third parties, because even when “Mercosur is an indissoluble marriage, this does mean that relations can't be discussed” and thus a 'different speeds' group should not be discarded.
Wednesday, May 6th 2015 - 07:04 UTC
Uruguay calls for an end to Mercosur 'hollow rhetoric' which undermines jobs

Uruguay's foreign minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa called on Mercosur to overcome “hollow rhetoric” and advance towards the elimination of barriers which restrict access to other markets and intra-region trade.
Tuesday, May 5th 2015 - 10:01 UTC
Mercosur prepared to consider the possibility of a 'two-speed' system with EU

Paraguay's foreign affairs minister Eladio Loizaga admitted in Madrid that Mercosur could consider the possibility of a “two-speed” system in trade and cooperation negotiations with the European Union. The minister was the main speaker at the event organized by Casa de America and the Spanish government news agency EFE.
Tuesday, May 5th 2015 - 09:52 UTC
Mercosur main partners' bilateral trade stalled for the last six years

Bilateral trade between Mercosur main partners Argentina and Brazil, has stalled at an annual 30bn dollars during the last six years (2008/2014), with no prospects of a recovery during 2015, according to Finsoport consultants from Buenos Aires.
Monday, May 4th 2015 - 06:30 UTC
Uruguay has the lowest corruption perception among Mercosur members

Uruguay enjoys the lowest perception of corruption among Mercosur countries and also a privileged position at global level, according to the country's Transparency and Public Ethics Commission. The ranking was based on data from Transparency International and World Bank for the period extending from 2003 to 2014.
Friday, May 1st 2015 - 07:14 UTC
Tax free imported vehicles for residents from Kirchner's Santa Cruz province

Argentine residents from the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, the Kirchner family political stronghold, will be allowed to buy imported cars free of federal taxes, according to the latest resolution 31/2015, signed by president Cristina Fernandez and published in the official Gazette.
Wednesday, April 29th 2015 - 22:59 UTC
Flexibility to discuss trade accords with third parties, Uruguay demands from Mercosur

Brazil's deteriorating economy and the recession tendency in Argentina, Mercosur main and largest partners, are influencing inter-group trade and the Uruguayan government is pressing for more flexibility that should allow it to negotiate agreements or understandings with third parties.
Wednesday, April 29th 2015 - 22:48 UTC
Uruguay insists Mercosur must achieve “a free trade zone which effectively works”

Uruguay again complained about the current stalled situation of Mercosur and called for members to 'sincere' themselves regarding the compliance of the original 1991 founding charter, and hopefully “we can at least reach the first stage of the chronogram: a free trade zone which effectively works and has not to bear the brunt of hurdles”.