Luxembourg, 27/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - On the sidelines of the Joint EU/Mercosur cooperation Council, the European Commissioner for External Relations, Chris Patten, signed three memorandums of understanding, which will frame the economic, financial and technical cooperation, with the Mercosur, Paraguay and Argentina, by 2006.
EU/Mercosur memorandum of understanding, foresees an aid of EUR 48 million over six years for the cofinancing of projects in three priority sectors: 1) institutional enhancing of Mercosur (EUR 12.5 million), notably through EU technical assistance, if the Mercosur (presently managed by the intergovernmental method) decides to enhanced its coordination structures and through a support to macro-economic coordination (tax policy, public debt etc.); 2) development of the Mercosur's economic and trade structures (21 million), through projects in the scientific and technical areas, SMEs and "support to cross border economic operations"; 3) support of civil society (14.5 million), which covers projects in the area of information society, education (student exchanges within the Mercosur, recognition of diplomas etc.), and support to the Mercosur bodies dedicated to social issues and the Mercosur advisory economic and social forum.
EU/Argentina memorandum of understanding foresees an aid of EUR 65.7 million, over six years. According to the Argentine press release, the projects concern: information society, the development of technology centres, support to SMEs and the forestry sector (in the Chaco, Corrientes, Misiones and Patagonia provinces), education, institutional enhancement in the provinces of Salta, Santa Fe and Buenos Aires.
EU/Paraguay memorandum of understanding foresees an aid of EUR 50 million, aimed at technical assistance more centres towards development.