Mercosur, EU likely to close deal by March

Mercosur and the EU have discussed a deal since 1999

Published on 06/12/2018 - 19:04 By Paula Laboissière - Brasília

Foreign ministers from Mercosur country members (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, as Venezuela has been temporarily suspended) announced Thursday (Dec. 6) a new round of talks will be held between the bloc and the European Union (EU) on a possible free trade deal.

In attendance were Chancellors Aloysio Nunes Ferreira (Brazil), Rodolfo Nóvoa (Uruguay), Jorge Faurie (Argentina), and Luis Alberto Castiglioni (Paraguay).

Uruguay’s Rodolgo Nóvoa said talks are likely to be concluded by March 2019. The estimate, he said, represents a “window of opportunity” before the changes set forth in the European Parliament.

Mercosur and the EU have discussed a deal since 1999, even though negotiations were stagnated from 2004 to 2010, and not resumed until 2016. There is still disagreement on issues related to the car industry and the access to the markets of beef, sugar, and dairy.

Translation: Fabrício Ferreira -  Edition: Davi Oliveira / Mariana Branco

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