Argentine President Mauricio Macri met with his Brazilian counterpart Michel Temer to discuss negotiations for an agreement between Mercosur and the European Union (EU) and Argentina's presidency of the G20.
Macri and Temer met during the 10th BRICS Summit (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), held in the South African city of Johannesburg.
EU-Mercosur meeting
The two leaders reviewed "the progress made towards an agreement between Mercosur and the EU that will allow for the strengthening of trade between the two economic blocs," the Argentine Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Temer said on Thursday (26.7.2018) that it is “not unlikely” that the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Mercosur, which has been in negotiations for two decades, could be concluded in September.
The two heads of state today emphasized "especially the differences that still persist within the regional bloc, including in the sector automotive and wine".
In addition, Macri proposed Temer organize "a meeting of ministers from both countries for the second half of August in order to adjust details in that regard.”
Temer, as one of the leaders of the BRICS bloc, and Macri, as a guest and rotating president of the G20, spoke today at the summit, in the “BRICS Plus” section, which aims to increase cooperation between emerging countries.
Defending multilateralism
The Argentine president denounced the “escalation of unilateral measures” currently taking place around the world and defended “multilateralism.”
About, Macri thus supported the position of the bloc emerging powers in the South African city, who have condemned, without directly naming the United States but in clear allusion to that country, protectionism and unilateralism.
Ally of Africa
For his part, Temer said today that the BRICS bloc "can and should be an ally of the development of Africa".
The countries of the emerging power bloc represent just over 40% of the world's population and their total share of the global economy has increased from 12% to 23% in the last decade.
Source: Reuters
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
