27/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - Mercosur, Audy (EPP, France) urges balanced agreement. During an exchange of views on 14 April with the commissioner for trade, Karel De Gucht, the vice president of the delegation for relations with Mercosur countries and leader of the conservative group in the European Parliament (EPP), Jean-Pierre Audy (France), highlighted the need for “balanced” negotiations for an association agreement between the EU and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). Audy explained, “we had no confidence at all in your predecessor, Peter Mandelson, and we need to be reassured”. A press release from the MEP even mentioned Parliament's “distrust” of the Mercosur dossier. According to the French MEP, De Gucht confirmed Parliament's ratification powers and mentioned compensation for any agricultural losses suffered. Nonetheless, the commissioner was said to have been evasive on other subjects, particularly the social and environmental clauses, the political quality of the South American bloc and monetary aspects. On 25-29 April, Audy will be part of the visit to Brazil made up of the parliamentary delegation for relations with Mercosur. The delegation will be holding a meeting with the Brazilian president Dikma Rousseff. (E.H./trans.fl)