Argentina’s critique of Mercosur has Brazil concerned, chancellor says

During a Wednesday (Nov. 27) meeting of the lower house Culture Committee, Chancellor Ernesto Araújo said the government is concerned over the “signs” exhibited by the new Argentine government regarding the essence of Mercosur. “If the second Mercosur member has a view this incompatible concerning the essence of Mercosur, we have to think about it,” he declared.

The future president of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, and vice-President Cristina Kirchner were elected in the first round on October 27, and will take office on December 10.

“Of course, they haven’t taken office yet; we must see what message they’ll bring,” Ernesto Araújo added. The chancellor went on to list the signs that threaten the essence of Mercosur, information said to come from Argentina according to which the new government will question not only bilateral trade with Brazil but also the scope of the deal inked with the European Union. Questioning bilateral commerce, he said, may be “seen as Mercosur’s internal barriers.”

“It’s not that we want bad relations with Argentina; we want the best relations possible; it’s a sister nation and will always be, regardless of the government,” Araújo went on to argue.

Ideology

The minister answered the questions posed by Congress members regarding the reasons why Brazil based its stance more on ideology than on Brazil’s traditional position as international actor, always summoned to mediate conflicts and conflicting interests between nations.

The chancellor said most of the critique is “superficial and angry in its notion of Brazilian external politics.” In his view, it stems from the idea of Brazil’s automatic alignment with the US. “There’s no such thing. Our ties are founded on the interests of Brazil,” he added.

He said the criticism cast light on the “lack of understanding of what external politics means,” and that many critics write articles without appropriately showing their reasons, which shows “poor intellectual preparedness to understand Brazilian foreign politics, both economically and in the realm of deepest convictions.”

Also in the words of the chancellor, Brazil wants to have the best possible relations with all countries. “It’s a paramount principle,” he stated. It is now time, he went on, for Brazil to “let others set their agenda and protect their interests.” There is always a critic to show disapproval when it is Brazil’s turn to stand up for its interest, he argued.