Brussels, 15/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - European and South American negotiators, who met in Brussels from 4-8 July to take stock of progress made by each of the 11 working groups responsible for the trade section of the EU association agreement with Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, with Venezuela in the process of accession), reaffirmed this week their commitment in favour of a complete, balanced and ambitious bilateral agreement. On the political chapter and that on cooperation, the parties spoke of breakthroughs on several points. With regard to the trade pillar, “considerable” progress has been made in chapters on services and investment, and on dispute settlement. All chapters were reviewed by chief negotiators, who set out guidelines for outstanding issues. The question of sustainable development was also discussed. The exchange of market access offers nonetheless remains pending. Europeans and Latin Americans will be meeting again in Montevideo on 7-11 November, and then in Brussels in early 2012. (E.H./transl.jl)