02/07/2020 (Agence Europe) – The conclusion of trade negotiations between the EU and Mercosur was on the agenda of the first virtual summit of the South American bloc on Thursday 2 July. Uruguayan President Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou, whose country holds the presidency of the bloc, called from the outset for the fight against protectionism and stated that “Mercosur has a duty to finish what it started. We need to sign the trade agreement with the European Union”. The day before, the South American countries had highlighted progress on the final text of the trade agreement between the two blocs, still awaited one year after the conclusion of a draft agreement. In the meantime, opposition to this treaty remains virulent in the EU, and several Member States have indicated their intention not to validate the agreement. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, was also reportedly invited. (HD)