:quality(75)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/elcomercio/MK7AMUSJFBCGJNBFVKXCLSNGHE.jpg)
The high representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Spanish Joseph Borrelland the Argentine foreign minister, santiago cafieroadvocated this Thursday for advancing next year towards a definitive association agreement between the EU and the Mercosur.
LOOK HERE: The video of the terrifying turbulence aboard a plane that went through a storm and landed with its nose destroyed
“We started from a political agreement in 2019 that could not be developed and completed”, said Borrell at a press conference at the end of Buenos Aires a meeting of foreign ministers EU and of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
After two decades of arduous negotiations, in 2019 the EU and the block composed of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay They reached a general political agreement to seal a free trade pact, leaving the resolution of some technical aspects pending.
But this discussion was complicated by the appearance of renewed demands, mainly from the European side, regarding environmental issues, in particular, criticism of the policies of the government of the Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro.
“The issue of sustainability has become more important”, recognized Borrelladmitting that environmental issues have altered the parameters of the discussion between the EU and Mercosur.
CHECK HERE: Guillermo Francella: “I don’t live serial hate on networks because I don’t use them”
Borrell pointed out that “We must rethink the political agreement of 2019 to achieve it” and maintained that, if the obstacles are overcome, it will be a pact “win-win” (win-win) for both blocks.
”But it will not be for tomorrow. From the outset, we Europeans have to specify what our demands are for environmental Protection”he warned.
However, he assured that from the debates this Thursday in Buenos Aires it is clear that there is “the will to make every possible effort so that in this year that begins today, the year of Latin America in Europe and Europe in Latin America”, the problems and their solutions are “thoroughly evaluated”.
And hopefully we are able to reach an agreement”, he claimed.
LOOK HERE: The crown prince of Denmark spoke for the first time of the family scandal: “It is sad to see how affected my brother is”
All eyes are set on 2023, when Spain holds the Presidency of the EU -in the second semester- and Argentina do the same in the Mercosur during the first semester.
Cafiero highlighted that “It is hopeful that Borrell and the Presidency Spain, next year in the EU, want to put joint work with the Mercosur”.
The Argentine foreign minister said that they must materialize “advances that respect the productive systems of each one of the countries and that attend to the productive asymmetries that exist on one side and on the other”.
Source: Elcomercio
I, Ronald Payne, am a journalist and author who dedicated his life to telling the stories that need to be said. I have over 7 years of experience as a reporter and editor, covering everything from politics to business to crime.
