Mercosur

• Thursday, September 14th 2023 - 12:00 UTC

  Lula puts a deadline for the Mercosur/EU trade agreement: second half of 2023

  

  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.

• Thursday, September 14th 2023 - 10:47 UTC

  Paraguay said to have recognized Argentina's right to charge tolls along Paraná Waterway

  

  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).

• Tuesday, September 12th 2023 - 08:40 UTC

  Paraná Waterway conflict: Paraguayan barge released after paying toll

  

  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.

• Saturday, September 9th 2023 - 23:08 UTC

  Confusion in Brazilian diplomacy on a long awaited reply to EU on the trade agreement

  

  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.

• Saturday, September 9th 2023 - 10:55 UTC

  Paraguay to seek Mercosur arbitration on Paraná Waterway toll collection by Argentina

  

  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.

• Tuesday, September 5th 2023 - 10:50 UTC

  Argentina tightens security along Paraná 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.

• Wednesday, August 30th 2023 - 09:38 UTC

  Minerva's latest move shakes up Uruguay's meat processing landscape

  

  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.

• Wednesday, August 30th 2023 - 07:56 UTC

  Paraguay willing to continue talks with Mercosur and Bolivia on toll charges on the Parana/Paraguay Waterway

  

  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.

• Wednesday, August 16th 2023 - 11:22 UTC

  Sanguinetti underlines Peña's position on Mercosur

  

  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.

• Tuesday, August 15th 2023 - 10:48 UTC

  Paraguay: Peña ready to be sworn in as President

  

  Economist Santiago Peña of the National Republican Assembly (ANR) also known as the Colorado Party is to be sworn in Tuesday as Paraguay's new head of state during a ceremony in Asunción which will be attended by several former and current Latin American leaders such as Argentina's Alberto Fernández; Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva and Uruguay's Luis Lacalle Pou, Chile's Gabriel Boric Font and Bolivia's Luis Arce Catacora.