24 March 2017
Información para la Prensa N°: 095/17
After five days of negotiations, the 27th Round of the MERCOSUR-EU Bi-regional Negotiations Committee was successfully concluded, in the context of which significant progress was made on the texts of the three parts of the future Association Agreement between both regions –the Trade Chapter, Political Dialogue and Bi-regional Cooperation-.
The two Parties have decided to give a definitive boost to this negotiation, in order to reach its conclusion in the shortest possible time. Negotiators concur that this Agreement must be broad, balanced and mutually beneficial, with a view to providing greater growth and employment opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic, in addition to strengthening historical political and cooperation bonds between Mercosur countries and the European Union.
Considerable progress was made on the texts of the different chapters of the negotiation. Both Parties reaffirmed their commitment to sustained and qualified bi-regional cooperation on areas such as defense of democracy and human rights, the fight against poverty and drug trafficking, scientific research and sustainable development. Negotiators in charge of the trade chapter discussed texts on all negotiation areas, including but not limited to sanitary and phytosanitary measures, trade facilitation, services, intellectual property, government procurement, trade and sustainable development.
The meeting saw the achievement of one of the main goals established by the Chief Negotiators in February: agreeing on a single text in each Negotiation Group. It is particularly worth highlighting that the chapter on Competition Policy was fully agreed upon.
The MERCOSUR-EU talks were held in a constructive and positive environment, seeking consensus to move forward towards the conclusion of negotiations.
Chief Negotiators met with civil society representatives, in order to discuss their expectations and the opportunities that will surely be created by the future Association Agreement, as regards social development, employment, trade and investment.
The next round of negotiations will be held in Brussels in July, preceded by an inter-sessional meeting of the Trade Chapter in Buenos Aires, in late May.