Temer talks to Paraguay president about EU–Mercosur deal

Brazilian President Michel Temer had a phone conversation Tuesday (Mar. 6) with Mercosur pro tempore President Horácio Cartes, president of Paraguay, to discuss negotiations on the conclusion of the deal between the South American bloc and the European Union (EU). The g of the commercial agreement has been the object of negotiations for nearly 20 years, and made significant strides over the last few months.

Yesterday, Temer talked to Portugal Prime Minister Antônio Costa and Spanish President Mariano Rajoy, also on the phone. Both Costa and Rajoy, Temer said, guaranteed that the EU is intent on forging the trade deal with Mercosur.

“Both reiterated the interest in overcoming recent disagreements so that the Mercosur–EU deal may be closed as soon as possible. I also took the chance to reveal my efforts in this connection,” Temer said in his Twitter .

The Brazilian government’s original plan was to unveil the pact during the World Trade Organization (WTD) Ministerial Conference, held late last year in Argentina, but the conclusion of the talks was postponed until this year due to lack of agreement on the trade of a few goods, and also in order for the European bloc to consider some concessions suggested by Mercosur country .

The agreement aims to reduce trade obstacles between the 28 countries in the EU and the four full of Mercosur: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, in addition to associate countries. The EU mentioned the strides made in the last rounds of talks and the Paraguayan government expects the deal to be forged no later than March.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira