Tag: Mercosur

• Wednesday, December 18th 2013 - 06:29 UTC

  Paraguay set to approve Venezuela Mercosur membership this Wednesday, ending 18-month rift

  

  Paraguay is waiting for the formality of a Wednesday vote in the Lower House floor to acknowledge the controversial incorporation of Venezuela as full member of Mercosur, putting an end to an 18 months political and diplomatic rift in the block. The Deputies' Constitution Affairs and Foreign Affairs committees on Tuesday afternoon approved Venezuela's Mercosur incorporation protocol, which means all is ready for the full house expected positive vote.

• Friday, December 13th 2013 - 12:57 UTC

  Argentina surprised by EU request to delay another month trade negotiations with Mercosur

  

  The European Union has asked for a one-month delay in the exchange of proposals to kick off free-trade negotiations with Mercosur, Argentine Cabinet Chief Jorge Capitanich confirmed on Thursday. The news was first reported by Sao Paulo newspapers on statements from Brazilian Foreign minister Luiz Fernando Figuereido.

• Thursday, December 12th 2013 - 06:54 UTC

  EU admits difficulties and requests Mercosur to delay the exchange of tariff proposals

  

  The European Union has formally requested that the exchange of tariff proposals with Mercosur for the creation of a cooperation and free trade zone, originally scheduled for next week, be delayed until 2014. The message was received by the Brazilian delegation at the recent WTO Bali discussions.

• Friday, December 6th 2013 - 23:16 UTC

  Europe demanding a decision from Mercosur on advancing the trade talks

  

  The European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso called on Mercosur to decide whether it wishes to advance in trade talks with the European Union jointly, as a block, and suggested the idea of a 'two-speed negotiation', since it is clear that Brazil is interested in advancing and wants to reach an agreement.

• Wednesday, December 4th 2013 - 06:18 UTC

  New effort by Brazil to have Mercosur comply with the EU agreed timetable

  

  Brazil trusts Mercosur and the European Union can exchange the proposed tariff lists for a free trade agreement keeping to the original schedule, before the end of the year, according to the country's foreign ministry.

• Friday, November 29th 2013 - 07:44 UTC

  Mujica questions Argentine trade policies towards Mercosur that “take us back to the sixties”

  

  Uruguayan president Jose Mujica again questioned Argentine president Cristina Fernandez administration trade policies which he said take us back 'to the sixties, when everybody locked in', and in effect deny Mercosur and harm other members.

• Friday, November 29th 2013 - 07:39 UTC

  Mercosur must have an only voice and act as a block, advises former leader Sarkozy

  

  “Mercosur must have greater integration, act with an only voice and operate as a block”, advised former French president Nicholas Sarkozy at a business conference in Buenos Aires, where he also underlined that without the European Union, “France or Germany could have disappeared from the world map”

• Tuesday, November 26th 2013 - 19:35 UTC

  Brazilian leading daily calls for a review of Mercosur, which 'is not working'

  

  Brazil's influential daily O'Globo called for a drastic change in the country's approach to trade policy arguing that “without a review, Mercosur does not work” and reveals that the latest signals from Argentina are that it is reluctant to reach a free trade and cooperation agreement in the framework of Mercosur with the European Union.

• Thursday, November 21st 2013 - 18:22 UTC

  Uruguay confirms a “several speeds” Mercosur in trade talks with European Union

  

  For Mercosur it is absolutely crucial that the trade and cooperation agreement with the European Union becomes effective said Uruguayan Vice-president Danilo Astori who indicated that Brazil and Uruguay are advancing the agreement at a faster speed than Argentina, which is involved in “a more protectionist focus”.

• Thursday, November 14th 2013 - 18:40 UTC

  Uruguay complains at Mercosur against Argentine resolution limiting ports' transshipments

  

  Uruguay made a formal complaint against Argentina before Mercosur regarding the administration of President Cristina Fernandez decision banning Argentine exports from transshipment in Uruguayan ports. The complaint was filed on Wednesday in Caracas at Subgroup 5 which addresses Mercosur maritime transport by Uruguay's Deputy Transport minister Pablo Genta.