
The European Union, the US and Japan have jointly asked the World Trade Organization to rule in a protracted trade dispute with Argentina. They criticize what they believe are unfair import restrictions and protectionism.

Mercosur Foreign ministers announced in Brasilia on Thursday that the suspension of Paraguay from the group stands at least until the coming presidential election on April 2013.

The Union of European Football Associations, UEFA, has included Gibraltar in the Futsal qualifiers for the Euro 2013 Cup to be played in France next month and in the U17 and U19 tournaments to be disputed beginning next autumn. This is considered a remarkable step for Gibraltar’s football on the Uefa/GFA ‘road map’

Leaders of British Overseas Territories, including Falkland Islands Member of Legislative Assembly Jan Cheek met with the British Prime Minister at Number 10 Downing Street on Wednesday afternoon.

Paraguay must continue suspended from Mercosur following the group’s presidential summit on Friday, anticipated the head of the Latin American desk from the Brazilian Foreign ministry, Antonio Jose Ferreira Simoes.

Economics and finance experts said Latin American must address structural reforms as part of the essential process to consolidate as an economic power and look after the Asian market.

The presence of President Hugo Chavez at Friday’s Mercosur summit is “uncertain” reported the official Brazilian news agency on Wednesday adding that the organizers are waiting for a confirmation of his trip to Brasilia.

Argentina has filed complaints with the World Trade Organization against the United States over limits on beef and lemon shipments, and against the European Union and Spain for curbs on bio-diesel, Foreign Minister Hector Timerman announced.

President Jose Mujica admitted on Tuesday before the country’s Exporters Union lobby that Uruguay has competitiveness problems and it is ‘not an easy challenge’ but nevertheless 2012 will again be a record year for overseas sales.

The Argentine Government’s acts of intimidation towards cruise companies which have planned to visit the Falkland Islands continues to impact on the Islands tourism industry with a further two ships cancelling their February visits on Wednesday.