The Foreign Ministers of Argentina, Felipe Solá, and of Brazil, Ernesto Araújo, agreed this Thursday (26.12.219) in a "extensive telephone conversation» to launch a "direct line" to develop common policies regarding trade relations between the two countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship reported.
"The relationship between Argentina and Brazil is between two sister countries that have historically maintained fruitful commercial, cultural and political relations," said the Argentine foreign minister during the conversation, according to information released by the San Martín Palace on Thursday night.
Official information said that the two officials had "an extensive conversation via teleconference lasting an hour and a half" and that Araújo invited Sola to Brasilia at the end of next month.
"The ministers agreed on the need to give importance to the participation of the private sectors in trade negotiations between both countries and to strengthen Mercosur as a space that must continue to be paramount," said the Argentine Foreign Ministry.
Along these lines, the Brazilian foreign minister said that his country was willing to approve the agreement with the European Union.
Solá linked this point to the impact on Argentine industry and the opinion of business owners and workers.
The foreign ministers of Argentina and Brazil also decided to discuss reductions to the Common External Tariff of Mercosur (CET) sector by sector, in consultation with those potentially affected.
Both ministers decided to maintain a permanent channel of dialogue and, within that framework, it was resolved that The Argentine foreign minister will be in Brazil on January 31.
Brazil is Argentina's main trading partner, but bilateral relations have been strained following the victory in Argentina's general elections of leader Alberto Fernández, with whom Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has ideological differences.
Between January and November of this year, bilateral trade reached 19.004 million dollars, with Argentine sales to Brazil amounting to 9.523 million dollars and Argentine purchases amounting to 9.481 million dollars.
Foreign Minister Ernesto Araújo held a video conference this afternoon with Argentine Foreign Minister Felipe Solá. The conversation took place in a very cordial atmosphere and dealt with multiple issues on the agendas of both countries.
—Itamaraty Brazil?? (@Itamaraty_ES) December 26, 2019
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