Brasília –Without reaching an agreement, the negotiators from the European Union and the Mercosur closed another round of talks on the free trade treaty involving the two blocs on this Friday (8th), in Brussels, Belgium. It was the sixth round of negotiation since the resumption fo the talks, which remained suspended over six years – since 2004. The Europeans demand further studies on the impact of an eventual agreement on the field of agriculture.
However, some of those in attendance claimed that the talks progressed in a balanced fashion. According to the negotiators, the talks were based on three pillars: political dialogue, cooperation and free trade. But both parties have restrictions regarding the proposals for liberalized market access of products.
“[We are working to] move forward with the negotiation so as to reach a globalized, balanced and ambitious association agreement,” states a communiqué disclosed by the European Union and the Mercosur.
The two blocs are preparing for the seventh round of negotiations, from November 7th to 11th, in Montevideo, Uruguay. There will also be an eighth meeting, scheduled for the first quarter of 2012, in Brussels.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
