18/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - Progress in talks on EU-Mercosur deal. The fourth negotiating meeting over an association agreement between the EU and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) took place in Brussels on 14-18 March, where progress was made in several areas - rules of origin, public procurement, services, investment, competition and dispute settlement - but the two sides agreed that extra work would be required in all areas of negotiation. Both sides will prepare improved offerings on access to the market and agree on a date for exchange of said offers, explains a joint press release. The two sides will meet up again in Asunción on 2-6 May and in Brussels on 4-8 July. (E.H./transl.fl)