Proposal should allow the European Union to export more cars, machines and drinks to the South American block, while facilitating the entry of meat, sugar, rice, honey and soybeans from Latin America
A announced, on Monday (30), that it should present “in the coming days” the legal text of the free trade agreement with the to start the analysis process and discuss its ratification. An EU executive arm official – had stated a week ago that these texts would be presented “before late June”, although the deadline ended without the discussion. The process of completion of the documents “is very advanced, so we could have news in the coming days,” the commission spokesman Paula Pinho told a press conference.
The UE-Mercosul agreement should allow the EU to export more cars, machines and drinks distilled to the Mercosur block and facilitate the entry of meat, sugar, rice, honey and soy. Negotiations to seal the agreement have been dragging on for 25 years. The parties had announced an understanding in early 2019, but the dossier was reopened shortly thereafter. Finally, the two blocks announced a new political agreement last December in Montevideo.
However, the ratification process still faces resistance from several EU countries, especially France, the most energetic country in its opposition. In this scenario, after the completion of the translation of the documents and the legal review, the commission must propose a way to discuss the path to its ratification. One scenario is that the commission divides the agreement into two chapters, one focused strictly to commerce, and another centered on aspects such as cooperation on strategic policy or association issues.
As trade is the assignment of the commission, the ratification of this chapter would follow a different path from the rest of the agreement. When asked whether the commission took into account the French demands, a spokesman for the institution, Thomas REGNIER, pointed out that states could present their arguments to the European Council, which represents the bloc countries.
“So far, I am not aware of any additional protocol. Once our legal text is presented to the Council, it will be the proper opportunity for Member States to exchange points of view, dialogue, negotiate and present their positions,” he said. In recent days, the French government has multiplied contacts with its counterparts, convinced that it can reach the so -called blockade minority, which should bring together four countries that disappear at least 35% of the EU population.
*With information from AFP
