Brussels, 07/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - Following a series of high-level political meetings last week in Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, including with Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo, Brazilian Agriculture Minister Mendes Ribeiro, Uruguayan Vice-President Danilo Astori, and representatives of the parliaments and industry, Joseph Daul, leader of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, has called for a “qualitative leap” in relations between the EU and the Mercosur countries.
“Mercosur is going through a difficult period due to the resurgence of protectionism of one of its members, which is unacceptable for the EU”, said the leader of the Conservative group, referring to the recent expropriation by Argentina of Spanish oil group Repsol's Argentinean subsidiary YPF, the latest in a list of trade restrictive measures taken by Buenos Aires since 2008 (see EUROPE 10603). “Moreover, the fight against corruption, the need for better ability to manage the state apparatus, important efforts to raise the level of education and also guaranteeing legal security for investors are all reforms to be undertaken in several Mercosur countries. Europe, which is also going through a period of demanding reforms, must get involved to help and support the countries concerned during these changes”, said Daul in a press release published on 7 May. “The Mercosur region is an important partner for us in terms of values and ideals, beyond the strength in our trade. We must develop and strengthen this strategic relationship as much as possible”, he added, calling for negotiations between the European Union and Mercosur on an association agreement to get back on track in the coming months, “provided that Buenos Aires reconsiders its position”. “This is in the best interest of our citizens on both sides of the Atlantic and in each of our countries. If we don't, it would be a suicidal strategy for globalisation: let's overcome our differences and move forward”, he said, calling for the speedy establishment of a political forum which brings together Brazilian parliamentarians and MEPs, with this forum becoming a fully-fledged inter-parliamentary delegation from 2014. Daul also argued that the parliamentary dimension of EU-Brazil relations must be specifically developed. (EH/transl.rt)