ISDS Case Map
Mercosur
Syria will sign the Framework Agreement on establishing Free Trade Zone with the Mercosur Bloc during the Mercosur summit to be held later this week in the Brazilian city of Foz de Iguazu with the participation of a Syrian delegation headed by Minister of Economy and Trade Lamia Assi.
Venezuela’s incorporation to Mercosur as full member seems closer as the Paraguayan Senate readies to consider the issue following on political agreements worked out by President Fernando Lugo.
Members of the European Parliament expressed strong support for expanding trade with Mercosur but subject to clear “red lines” to ensure food security and prevent further environmental damage, said a resolution adopted on Thursday.
Chambers of Commerce from Europe, Brazil and Uruguay called on their governments to give a new thrust to negotiations for an ambitious cooperation and trade EU/Mercosur agreement.
Spurred on by its recent trade deal with South Korea, the European Union is pursuing an early conclusion of talks with Latin America's Mercosur trade bloc as part of its strategy to expand its economic prospects.
The Palestinian Authority has opened trade talks with Brazil, Argentina and other Latin American countries, in an effort to boost economic and political ties with the fast-growing Mercosur bloc.
French Agriculture minister Bruno Le Maire reiterated Paris ‘strong rejection’ of European Union trade talks with Mercosur and said that Europe “is no dumping ground for Mercosur agriculture produce”.
The European Union hopes to reach an accord with South American trade bloc Mercosur by mid-2011 as negotiators iron out details on tough issues such as farm aid and intellectual property, the EU's trade chief Karel De Gucht said on Tuesday.
There is considerable resistance within European agriculture circles to a free trade agreement with Mercosur. Fourteen EU farm ministers, members of the EU Parliament, as well as farm groups like Copa have all voiced reservations about such a FTA.
India will soon undertake negotiations to discuss the possibility of expanding an agreement on tariffs with South American bloc Mercosur countries in November.
