Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou Thursday discussed the European Union-Mercosur trade deal with his French colleague Emmanuel Macron while meeting ahead of the Rugby World Cup clash in Lille between the two countries' national teams, which the hosts eventually won 27-12.
Brazil wants to finally sign the pending trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, however, the deal must take place on equal terms and negotiations will be halted if they don't progress this semester. The statement was from President Lula da Silva at the end of the G20 summit in India.
Argentina's Energy Secretary Flavia Royon said Wednesday that Paraguay had recognized her country's right to charge a fee (toll) to barges sailing along the Parana River Waterway and that the issue at this point was to discuss the price, for which a technical commission will be instated to assess the crossed claims between the neighboring countries for debts related to the Yacyretá Binational Entity (EBY).
A Paraguayan barge with fuel seized by Argentine authorities for failure to pay the toll on the Paraguay-Paraná River Waterway has been released after posting nearly US$ 30,000, it was reported.
Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said this week that Mercosur had sent the European Union their position on a European addendum to their long-awaited trade agreement. However, despite the announcement it was revealed that Uruguay and Paraguay have yet to present their positions in writing, diplomatic sources said in both countries.
The Government of Paraguay announced Friday that it will be seeking an international arbitrage within the South American Common Market (Mercosur) to settle the dispute with Argentina over the charging of tolls to barges sailing through the Paraná River Waterway.
Citing security concerns and possible drug trafficking, Argentine authorities have upped their controls on Paraguayan barges sailing through the Paraná River, it was reported in Buenos Aires.
Conrado Ferber, President of the National Meat Institute (INAC) of Uruguay, expressed his concerns on Tuesday regarding Minerva Foods' proposed acquisition of three meat processing plants from Marfrig. If the deal is finalized, it would result in one of the Brazilian multinational corporations controlling 45% of the southern country slaughterhouse market.
Paraguay's recently instated president, Santiago Peña said he will continue engaging in dialogue with Argentina to reach a resolution regarding toll charges on the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway. “We do not deny the option of toll charges, but it should be an agreement among the five countries that use the waterway,” he asserted.
Two-time former Uruguayan President Julio María Sanguinetti Tuesday praised Paraguayan President Santiago Peña's stance regarding the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), which would need a major overhaul. Paraguay, a major world food producer but landlocked, is a member of Mercosur along with Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.