The European Union could sign a free trade agreement with Mercosur countries in February 2018 instead of before the end of this year as had been expected, Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, announced to the press in Brussels on Monday (18.12.2017).
Phil Hogan He said that "the Mercosur talks were quite difficult during the week and still There are 15 pending issues in the negotiations".
"We believe we have made progress and hope to successfully conclude an agreement between Mercosur and the EU, provided our conditions are met, in February 2018.", the European Commissioner told reporters.
The European Commission had proposed that Mercosur export 70.000 tonnes of beef at reduced tariffs, less than the 100.000 tonnes offer the EU made in 2004.
Last November, European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström asserted that there was a "real chance" of reaching such an agreement before the end of the year, but Hogan dispelled any doubts by saying he was referring to "some" progress made during talks held "last week in Buenos Aires."
Negotiations between Mercosur and the EU have been going on for 20 years and have been marked by the reluctance of some European countries to allow the entry of Latin American products.
EU hopeful Mercosur deal will be agreed in February – FarmIreland.ie#AgriOutlook https://t.co/qW97eIvzCb pic.twitter.com/rHsf7k0wwe
— FarmIreland.ie (@farm_ireland) December 18th 2017
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