The European Union remains fully committed to reach a free trade agreement with Mercosur said Geoffrey Barrett head of the EU delegation in Uruguay and Paraguay, during a EU sponsored conference in Asunción.
French Agriculture minister Bruno Le Maire reiterated Paris ‘strong rejection’ of European Union trade talks with Mercosur and said that Europe “is no dumping ground for Mercosur agriculture produce”.
EU trade chief Karel De Gucht said on Tuesday in Brazil that a EU-Mercosur trade pact could happen “in less than a year”, despite France's “firm” opposition to a deal with the South American block.
Mercosur is currently a “Foreign Affairs ministries club” which has failed in getting people involved in the integration idea and process, said Uruguayan Foreign Secretary Luis Almagro during a press conference Monday at Government House.
European Union Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht is expected in Brazil to advance trade talks with Mercosur. Brazil currently holds the Mercosur rotating chair. The top EU official will visit Argentina later in the week.
Mercosur and Unasur (Union of South American Nations) can be “more effective” than OAS (Organization of American States) in addressing issues of South American countries, said Brazilian Foreign Secretary Celso Amorim currently in Switzerland for a conference on international security.
Indian Industry and Commerce Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that India and Mercosur are discussing the possibility to expand a current agreement on tariffs.
South Korea, Asia’s fourth largest economy is seeking to launch bilateral trade talks with Mercosur in a move to deepen links with Latinamerica according to a report from the Yonhap news agency.
Argentine president Cristina Kirchner called on Mercosur partners to convert the group into the world’s leading agro-food business region and to put an end to asymmetries.
Canada is “satisfied” with contacts held with the Argentine government for the possible beginning of discussions regarding a free trade agreement with Mercosur, said Canadian International Trade minister Peter Van Loan said at the end of a tour of four Latin American countries