Brazil-Paraguay: Temer, Cartes to discuss border security

Brazil's Presidents Michel Temer and Paraguay's Horacio Cartes will meet in Brasília on Monday (Aug. 21) to discuss bilateral business relations, security over a 1,300-kilometer-long border areas, the Venezuelan crisis, and the elimination of MERCOSUR trade barriers.

The two presidents will also discuss the results of recent joint operations against organized crime and Itaipu hydropower plant which supplies electricity to both countries.

Business relations

Brazil is Paraguay's main trading partner, buying around 20% of total Paraguayan exports and supplying about 25% of its imports. Brazil's main exports to Paraguay include fertilizers, beer, tobacco, fungicides, and tiles/ceramics; whereas imports include corn, wheat, electric supplies, and soybeans.

Bilateral trade totaled $3.4 billion in 2016. In the first seven months of 2017, it reached $2.1 billion—up 19% from the same period last year.

MERCOSUR

About MERCOSUR, in addition to trade barrier elimination, the two presidents will discuss the negotiations toward a trade deal with the European Union. Brazil currently holds the rotating presidency of the bloc, and Paraguay takes over next in the first half of 2018.

Temer will welcome Cartes at Planalto Palace in the morning, then have him and his delegation over for lunch at the Foreign Ministry's Itamaraty Palace. As part of the state trip, the Paraguayan president will visit the Chamber of Deputies, the Senate, and the Supreme Court.

Translated by Mayra Borges