Brussels / Vilamoura, 25/02/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Union, Mercosur, Chile and Bolivia are going to study means of developing their political dialogue, in parallel with the trade negotiations to be launched in April (see yesterday's EUROPE, page 7). Mercosur and its two associate countries, Chile and Bolivia, presented a declaration and action programme in this area at the ministerial meeting held this week in Vilamoura. The EU agreed to present its observations at the meeting of EU/Mercosur senior officials, due to be held shortly. Political cooperation would be enhanced and would involve the organisation of practical actions on dialogue subjects: peace and stability, conflict prevention, confidence-building and security measures, promotion and protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Ministers stressed the necessity of improving coordination between the EU and Mercosur bodies within the framework of the United Nations, notes a joint press release on the meeting. They decided to "instruct their representatives in the United Nations to hold working meetings, before the next meeting of the General Assembly, with a view to bringing the respective positions closer together". Ministers also reiterated the importance of the contribution of new actors, partners and resources from civil society in dialogue between the two regions and insisted on the necessity of stepping up cultural dialogue.
Turning to the organisation of new negotiations within the framework of the World Trade Organisation, "Ministers stressed the importance of maintaining momentum towards the launch of a new comprehensive round" which should have the objective of "enhancing market access, without excluding any areas". Reflecting Mercosur's concerns about the opening of European agricultural markets, the statement notes that Ministers "also noted the importance of the commitment by all members to constructive negotiations under the built-in agenda, which includes agriculture and services". The two parties agreed that the top priority of the new round should be the integration of the developing countries into the world trading system.