The block mercosurformed by Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, sent to the European Union his position on a European addendum to his long-awaited trade deal, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said on Wednesday.
The counterproposal of mercosur It follows a so-called annex letter from the EU that includes environmental safeguards to respond to strong reservations expressed by many EU member countries about the deal, which has been under negotiation for two decades.
“I cannot give any guarantee that the European Union will accept, we will negotiate that text,” Vieira said in a radio interview, adding that negotiators from both sides held a virtual meeting this week and will meet in person this month in Brazil.
Vieira stated that the mercosur it wants the EU to be “more flexible” on potential sanctions that could be imposed on South American countries if they do not fully comply with the European bloc’s deforestation standards.
The minister stated that Brazil it already has a clear environmental policy since President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office in January, outlining his goal of ending illegal deforestation in the Amazon rainforest by 2030.
Lula has previously stated that the attached letter from the EU contained unacceptable “threats” to punish countries.
“We are confident in the negotiation,” said Vieira. “The EU and Mercosur have expressed how strategic this agreement is.”
Brazil and the other countries that make up Mercosur, he added, are “clearly” committed to working to protect the environment.
Negotiations resume for an agreement between Mercosur and the European Union
Negotiations between the trading blocs of mercosur and the European Union they will resume on September 15 in Brasilia.
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said: “On September 15 we will have a face-to-face meeting. The negotiators of the European Union will come to Brasilia to continue the negotiations”, he confirmed in an interview with TV Bandeirantes quoted by the Ansa agency.
The foreign minister reiterated Mercosur’s position that “safeguarding the environment” should not become a pretext for “protectionist measures.” However, he was “optimistic” about the negotiations and continues to aim to close the agreement before the end of the year. “The other countries of the mercosur they have the same position. I have already spoken with the foreign ministers of Uruguay (Francisco Bustillo Bonasso), Argentina (Santiago Cafiero) and Paraguay (Rubén Ramírez Lezcano)”, Viera specified.
In June, the president Alberto Fernández assured “political will” to sign an agreement between Mercosur and the European Union (EU) before the end of the yearby giving a joint statement at Government House with the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Source: Ambito
