The 64th Summit of Heads of State of MERCOSUR and Bolivia concluded on July 8, 2024 in Asunción, Paraguay. The event ratified the validity of the integration process that began 33 years ago with the Treaty of Asunción in 1991.
The event was attended by the Presidents of Paraguay, Santiago Peña; of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou; and of Bolivia, Luis Arce, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina, Diana Mondino, among other authorities.
The Asunción Summit marked the culmination of Paraguay's Pro Tempore Presidency, during which MERCOSUR members have made significant progress.
The joint statement by the Presidents of the States Parties of MERCOSUR and Bolivia highlighted important progress in crucial areas, namely:
MEASURES AFFECTING INTRA-ZONE TRADE. The creation of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures Affecting Intra-Zone Trade was highlighted, which will allow for the identification of taxes and restrictions that limit or prevent the exchange of goods and services in the bloc.
MERCOSUR REGIME OF ORIGIN. The incorporation and upcoming entry into force on July 18, 2024, of the new MERCOSUR Regime of Origin (ROM), an essential instrument for the simplification and facilitation of trade and the integration of the productive sectors of the Member States, was praised.
CUSTOMS AFFAIRS AND TRADE FACILITATION. Emphasis was placed on the creation of the Ad Hoc Committee on Integrated Control Areas to identify courses of action and solutions to the problems highlighted in the “Technical Study on the Status and Situation of the Level of Integration of the Integrated Control Areas of MERCOSUR”.
REGIONAL EXTERNAL AGENDA. Regarding the regional external agenda, the statement highlights the conclusion of negotiations for the updating of the Regime of Origin between MERCOSUR and Chile within the framework of Economic Complementation Agreement No. 35.
Other notable results include the signing of agreements on audiovisual and film co-production, disaster risk management and financial agreements with FONPLATA.
The statement also included notification of the recent approval of the Law of Ratification of the Protocol of Accession of Bolivia by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and the corresponding promulgation of said instrument by President Luis Arce Catacora.
During the 64th Summit, the new Panamanian president, José Raúl Mulino - who participated as an extra-regional guest - announced in his speech that he will seek to become part of the bloc as an associate country, joining six other countries in the region (Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname).
A presidential declaration on combating transnational organized crime was also adopted, underlining the commitment of States Parties to address this global challenge.
In conclusion, these advances in crucial areas are proof that during the first semester the States Parties contributed to the strengthening of MERCOSUR as a project of political, social and economic integration, renewing the will and commitment to adopt the necessary decisions for the improvement of the regional process. Based on this, Uruguay assumed the temporary presidency of the bloc and will exercise it for the next six months of 2024, to "advance jointly" in everything possible.
Some recommendations to delve deeper into the topic:
- Joint statement: https://www.mercosur.int/64-summit-communiqué/
- Presidential declaration against the COT: https://www.mercosur.int/declaracion-presidencial-de-lucha-contra-el-crimen-organizado-transnacional-cot/
- Summit of Heads of State of Mercosur and Associated States: https://www.youtube.com/live/53_wBQEoFIY
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