Brazil and Paraguay affirm that the EU-Mercosur agreement can be achieved this year

The foreign ministers of Brazil, Aloysio Nunes, and Paraguay, Eladio Loizaga, today reiterated their confidence that the trade agreement pursued by Mercosur and the Union for almost two decades European Union (EU) will be finalized this year.

Brasilia, Nov 23 (EFE) .- The foreign ministers of Brazil, Aloysio Nunes, and of Paraguay, Eladio Loizaga, reiterated today their confidence that the trade agreement they have been pursuing for almost two years decades Mercosur and the European Union (EU) will be finalized this year.

"It will be fundamental for a greater insertion (of Mercosur) in the world," said Nunes on a pact around which both parties continue working with the hope that it can be signed in December.

"We hope it will be concluded before the end of the year" and that it includes "reciprocal commitments and benefits for citizens "European and Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay, members of Mercosur, said Loizaga in joint statements to journalists.

The last round of negotiations were held in Brasilia ten days ago and, as indicated by members of the technical teams of both parties, there were still some difficulties in relation to meats and biofuels.

In order to try to overcome definitely those that seem to be the last obstacles, it was agreed to hold a new round in Brussels between November 29 and 5 December.

These discussions will take place almost time trial, at least according to the intention expressed by both Mercosur and the EU that the agreement be signed in Buenos Aires on December 10, as part of a ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

In his statements, the Paraguayan chancellor highlighted the role that Brazil has exercised in these negotiations during the last months, in which it has exercised the semi-annual presidency of Mercosur.

That rotating position will be exercised by Paraguay as from December 21, when he will receive it from Brazil at the annual Mercosur summit, which will be held in Brasilia and to which the Paraguayan president, Horacio Cartes, has already confirmed his assistance, assured Loizaga.