Brazil and Argentina consider creating bi-national agency of technical standards

Brazil Foreign Affairs Minister José Serra said this Thursday (Dec. 8) that the country considers creating a bi-national agency of technical standards between Brazil and Argentina, with the cooperation of Brazil's National Institute of Metrology, Quality, and Technology (INMETRO) and Argentine agencies to facilitate the reduction of trade barriers within MERCOSUR. With the initiative, the countries intend to comply with standardized technical, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements to facilitate the transit of goods among the countries of the bloc. The measure was announced after a meeting with Argentina's Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra.

Serra also said that the countries want to boost the use of waterways that cross MERCOSUR associate countries. The idea is to increase the flow by 300% over the next ten years, with transit of goods and river tourism. "It means more integration [between countries], and an intelligent and concrete integration," he said.

According to Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Argentina is one of the main Brazilian political and commercial partners. Brazil is the main supplier of products to Argentina and the top export destination of the neighboring country. For the first ten months of 2016, bilateral exchange totaled over $18 billion. During this period, Argentina was Brazil's third largest trading partner.

MERCOSUR

Argentina will take on pro-tempore presidency of MERCOSUR on January 1, 2017 for the next six months. They have also discussed the controversial issue of the permanence of Venezuela in the regional bloc during Susana Malcorra's first visit to Brazil.

According to the Argentine minister, the country was removed from the bloc over its own failure to comply with MERCOSUR norms. Venezuela joined the bloc four years ago. "Venezuela has not been suspended, its participation in MERCOSUR has been ceased," she said.

Malcorra said the country may return to the bloc when "a regulation of legal norms puts Venezuela in equality" with MERCOSUR members. According to the minister, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay are "hopeful that Venezuela will adjust as soon as possible and that, after reaffirming its level of commitment, it will become a member again."

Next week, Minister José Serra will attend a meeting on MERCOSUR in Buenos Aires with foreign ministers from the four founding members. On the agenda, they will discuss agreements between the bloc and the European Union. "We are negotiating separately, there is no planned negotiation," the minister said.

According to Serra, it is necessary to create a group that develops prior understandings "to negotiate with the European Union with more strength" and to stimulate bilateral trade agreements within the South American bloc.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta