The Argentine government proposed this Thursday (07.06.2020/XNUMX/XNUMX) to "jointly advance trade agreements with South Korea, Canada, Lebanon and Singapore but including the necessary safeguards to protect the productive sector and national employment," in the videoconference of National Coordinators of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur).
This was stated by the Secretary of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jorge Neme, the highest Argentine authority who participated in the meeting, in which he stressed that "trade negotiations with the European Union and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) are in their final stage."
In dialogue with Télam, the official explained that the intention is "actively connecting with the world but evaluating opportunities and risks; not a frivolous opening.
«We never stop proposing anything: We put forward our reservations in the cases of Korea and Singapore, specific problems to be resolved in the other negotiations and the intention to move forward with India," he added.
Asked about the response from representatives of Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay, he said that "it was very good because they understand our situation and are willing to consider it; the result is very positive."
Likewise, Neme reiterated during the day the interest in Expand trade opportunities with Central American countries and offered that our country lead these negotiations.
He also considered it "essential to deepen the internal agenda of Mercosur, to increase the competitiveness of the countries of the bloc and their international projection."
On April 24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship considered that "international uncertainty and the situation of our economy advise stopping progress" in the negotiations of free trade agreements between Mercosur and South Korea, Singapore, Lebanon, Canada and India, among others.
This situation highlighted the need for intra-bloc dialogue to find mechanisms that take into account the interests of each State Party in new negotiations with third parties.
The Foreign Ministry stressed that the new agreements have prior consensus in our productive sector.
In this regard, the support obtained in recent days from representatives of the business and trade union sectors was significant.
This week, 35 business entities from the agro-industrial chain proposed "prioritizing trade agreements with countries with which very advanced levels of understanding have been reached in negotiations."
For its part, the Association of Importers and Exporters of the Argentine Republic (Aiera), considered it appropriate to "consolidate agreements with countries in the region or others with similar development that allow for an increase in local production."
Yesterday, the president of the Argentine Industrial Union (UIA), Miguel Acevedo, considered it necessary that in Mercosur "the national perspective converge with the regional strategy" to promote the development of all partners.
Also the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) supported the Argentine position through a video conference held between its Secretary General, Héctor Daer, and the Foreign Minister, Felipe Solá.
Lastly, today information was provided on the agreement signed between Foreign Minister Solá and the rector of the University of Buenos Aires, Alberto Barbieri, to carry out studies that measure the socioeconomic impact of trade agreements, and the rest of the States Parties were invited to add their higher education institutions to carry out joint research.
The next meeting of Mercosur National Coordinators will be held on Tuesday, May 12.
Source: Telam
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