Brussels, 31/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - The presentation of an offer of liberalisation by the Mercosur countries marks a "decisive stage" in the negotiation of an association and free trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay), said Uruguay's Deputy Minister and Head of the Mercosur Delegation, Guillermo Valles, on Wednesday speaking to the press. The offer only proposes a customs dismantling timetable for 33% of imports from Europe and should be completed (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.13). However, in his view, the important thing is that the "Mercosur offer should cover all sectors, without excluding a single product". According to the Director General for external relations at the Commission, Guy Legras said the "conditions are met for moving forward. Technical work should be done during the negotiation meeting in March".
Welcoming the efforts aimed at moving forward despite the difficult economic circumstances within Mercosur and mainly in Argentina, European diplomats agree not to insist on their reserve. "Today we do not bear judgement on the offer made", repeated Mr Legras. Mercosur maintains the common front: "the economic circumstances in Mercosur and the global recession is not a brake on negotiations, but the contrary", said Guillermo Valles, who assured that "within Mercosur there is no political difficulty that can hamper negotiations". Argentina's chief negotiator Alfredo Chiaradia (who will be holding the Mercosur Presidency from January) assures that "any difficulties in Argentina or in other Mercosur members do not in any way have an influence on the content of our offer".
In this context, said Guillermo Valles, the offer made this week is "politically responsible, technically coherent and attractive on the commercial level". "It is not only in the ad valorem duties covered by the European offer that obstacles lie, but in the non-tariff issues", commented Alfredo Chiaradia. Speaking for the EU, Guy Legras said "the question of farm subsidies must be treated at the multilateral level, at the WTO".
Both parties will compare their offers by next week, in March and April. They should specify their sectoral offers regarding services and public procurement, areas in which there have hitherto only been exchanges of general texts. During this 6th round, the two parties made progress on the "cooperation" section of the future agreement, agreeing on the texts on scientific and technical cooperation, energy, transport, telecommunications, and information technology. Negotiations must specify the texts on agriculture and the environment, and the arrangement for future political dialogue.