Brussels, 25/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - During a meeting between Commissioner Lamy and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Soledad Alvear, this Thursday in Brussels, the Union and Chile amicably resolved all their trade disputes and noted a harmony of "concepts, language and sentiments" on the bilateral negotiation, regional integration and the new multilateral trade round. Concerning the association agreement with Chile, Mr Lamy added that he did not see any reason at this stage to modify the negotiation mandate, "except over one point (as with Mercusor)": the deadline at the end of the world round. Once enshrined by the competent bodies, the compromises announced following the four days of "intensive" talks and long months of "hard work" will put an end to the two procedures underway in Geneva: i) in the case of swordfish fishing, the arrangement answers both the European concerns, of a commercial nature (the reopening of the Chilean market, for 4 trawlers which will be able to transfer and unload up to 1,000 tonnes of swordfish in three ports of the country in the framework of a joint programme involving an equivalent number of Chilean boats) to those, environmental, of Chile, over the fish resources in the regional maritime area; ii) in the case of the Chilean system for the taxation of alcohol and spirit drinks, considered "discriminatory" in Geneva, the new legislation adopted by the Congress will lowers from 35% to 27% the rate of taxation for all categories of drinks (i.e. the level applied the local spirit, Pisco), by March 2003 (or two years later than foreseen by the WTO).