Brasília – The Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said today (14th) that negotiations for an agreement between the Mercosur and the European Union will be a priority during the period in which he remains the bloc’s president pro tempore. Lula will remain in the presidency of the Mercosur during the second half this year.
He made the statement during a press conference alongside the presidents of the European Commission, Durão Barroso, and of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy, after attending the 4th EU-Brazil Summit.
“We want to move forward to conclude an association agreement between the Mercosur and the European Union. More than a debate on tariffs and subsidies, this step will be a token of the commitment of both blocs to creating trade and investment opportunities,” he said.
The president underscored, however, that laying ahead is the difficult task of overcoming resistance from heads of state and sectors of the economy in European Union countries, in particular the agricultural sector , which fears the entry of cheaper products into their markets.
According to the president, one or another sector of the economy will always be dissatisfied. To prevent sectors from feeling harmed, some kind of compensation must be created to protect them, said Lula.
Durão Barroso claimed that the agreement may bring advantages to both blocs, but recognized that there are sensitive issues and that negotiations will not be easy. “The European Union comprises 27 countries. That is why we are hoping the Mercosur will extend an offer that is in keeping with our ambitions, so that we may present a very good proposal to the 27 European Union member-states, one that will also contemplate the concerns of those who feel that they are being affected the most,” said the president of the European Commission.
Brazil and the European Union have established an air safety agreement which, according to president Lula, will open up European skies to Brazilian aeronautical products. A civil aviation agreement has also been signed. “These agreements will enable more Brazilian airlines to fly to Brazil, and it will also enable greater exchange of aeronautical products,” said Durão Barroso.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
