During the visit of Brazil's Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes Ferreira to Brussels on Wednesday 30 August, the EU and Brazil reaffirmed their commitment to completing an agreement in principle by the end of 2017 on the negotiations for an association agreement (including a trade section) between the EU and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – with Venezuela being suspended from the Latin American bloc).
Ferreira and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini reiterated the commitment of the EU and Brazil to working for the conclusion of an agreement in principle between the EU and Mercosur. Brazil currently holds the six-monthly rotating presidency of Mercosur.
In September, the European and South American negotiators will move ahead to a review of the offers on the table for market access (agricultural and industrial products, services and public procurement) as part of the EU-Mercosur free trade talks. These talks were re-launched in May 2016 following a long freeze of around ten years (see EUROPE 11821).
The negotiators will hold inter-sessional meetings in Brussels on 4-8 September, before a fourth round of talks (since 2010).
At the end of a two-day visit that enabled him to meet European Parliament President Antonio Tajani and European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström, Ferreira warned, as reported by Brazilian press, that his country would not accept an EU-Mercosur trade agreement that imposed restrictions on Brazil's exports of beef and ethanol.
He said he "understood that the Europeans have sensitivities, like for beef, among other agricultural products", but warned that "Brazil also has reservations for certain industrial products". "It is important to put our cards on the table and start negotiating", he said, asking both sides to be more flexible so there could be a win-win agreement. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)