Mercosur

Thursday, August 25th 2016 - 09:14 UTC
Mercosur fractured and in disarray: Venezuela isolated

Mercosur on Wednesday displayed another chapter of its internal disarray, almost farcical, when Venezuela which proclaims the presidency of the group convened a meeting at the Montevideo administrative offices that was only attended by full member Uruguay and aspiring member Bolivia.
Wednesday, August 24th 2016 - 07:11 UTC
Mercosur coordinators' address domestic and international agendas, despite admitting “emergency situation”

Mercosur founding countries national coordinators met on Tuesday in Montevideo and admitted that the block is going through an “emergency situation” because of the presidential acephaly, but agreed on proposals to overcome the challenge and in a “business as usual” spirit, are readying for a meeting with the EU on trade negotiations and on the Action Plan to advance closer links with the Pacific Alliance.
Wednesday, August 24th 2016 - 06:06 UTC
A Mercosur/EU trade agreement will not include UK, warns European Parliament president

The president of the European Parliament Martin Schulz said in Buenos Aires that if finally a trade and cooperation agreement is reached between the European Union and Mercosur the United Kingdom will not benefit as a consequence of Brexit.
Tuesday, August 23rd 2016 - 07:08 UTC
Coordinators meeting in Montevideo will find “a definitive solution” to Mercosur acephaly

Paraguay's foreign minister Eladio Loizaga anticipated that the Mercosur coordinators meeting scheduled to take place this Tuesday in Montevideo, will be “definitive” since a proposal to solve the current “acephaly” of the block's presidency which was self proclaimed by Venezuela and questioned by other members, “will emerge”.
Friday, August 19th 2016 - 10:11 UTC
Argentina points to Uruguay for causing a “vacuum” in Mercosur and the current situation

Argentina considers that Uruguay created a “vacuum” in Mercosur when it unilaterally adopted the decision to devolve the block's presidency, and creating an unprecedented situation. Since then Mercosur has been involved in a serious controversy over the transfer of the presidency to Venezuela, which has strongly discredited the South American block.
Thursday, August 18th 2016 - 06:13 UTC
Uruguay back steps on its claims regarding Brazil and the Mercosur presidency controversy

Uruguay back stepped on its statements referred to Brazil's “bullying with the Mercosur presidency” and admits there was a misunderstanding regarding Brazil's invitation for a joint trade promotion in third countries, according to an official clarification Wednesday release from the Uruguayan foreign ministry.
Thursday, August 18th 2016 - 06:04 UTC
Macri after full integration of Mercosur with the Pacific Alliance

Latin America needs greater economic integration and a merger of Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance should be the objective, according to Argentine president Mauricio Macri, who insists in loosening trade restrictions in his country and the region.
Thursday, August 18th 2016 - 03:28 UTC
Nin Novoa's statements are “not compatible with the excellent relations between Brazil and Uruguay”

The Brazilian government said it was deeply disappointed and surprised at statements from Uruguay's foreign minister, which “are not compatible with the excelence of relations between Brazil and Uruguay”, according to an official release from Itamaraty, Brazil's foreign ministry, regarding the controversy over the Mercosur presidency.
Wednesday, August 17th 2016 - 04:56 UTC
Uruguay ambassador summoned to Itamaraty after minister accuses Brazil of “bullying Mercosur presidency”

Brazil summoned Uruguay's ambassador on Tuesday after the neighboring country's foreign minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa accused Brazil of trying to “buy” its vote to block Venezuela from taking the rotating presidency of the Mercosur trade bloc.
Tuesday, August 16th 2016 - 07:17 UTC
Mercosur on collision course: Uruguay rejects collective presidency sponsored by Brazil

Uruguay's Foreign Minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa said on Monday that he was opposed to the proposal that the Mercosur presidency should be held collectively, as a number of countries are opposed to Venezuela taking over the role. The proposal has been sponsored by Paraguay and Brazil for several weeks, particularly Brazil's Foreign Minister Jose Serra.