This Sunday (07.07.2024), the Ordinary Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia was held, within the framework of the 64th Summit of Presidents of MERCOSUR and Associated States, in the city of Asunción.
Amongst the MERCOSUR's progress during Paraguay's Pro Tempore Presidency In these six months, the implementation of the Fund for the Structural Convergence of MERCOSUR I (FOCEM I) was mentioned, highlighting the creation of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures Affecting Intra-Zone Trade and Integrated Control Areas. The reactivation of the work of the Ad Hoc Group of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises was also indicated; also, the realization of the XII Business Forum, the culmination of the internal processes for the internalization and implementation of the new MERCOSUR origin regime and the completion of the negotiations for the update of the origin regime between MERCOSUR and Chile. Added to this is the beginning of negotiations between MERCOSUR and the United Arab Emirates, with a view to the conclusion of a free trade agreement.
El Paraguayan Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano, said in his speech -transmitted live- that "the integration process faces demands. (…) Although we have made progress in several aspects, the process of understanding has been slow and complex, which shows that we must seek a formula to make MERCOSUR's progress towards its update more agile and dynamic."
Furthermore, the Chancellor of Argentina, Diana Mondino, He praised recent advances and celebrated, among other things, that this mechanism - created 33 years ago - constitutes the main destination for his country's foreign sales and is the "first step" for the internationalization of its companies. However, he pointed out: "We have a critical view of the present of MERCOSUR and we consider that its potential as an expanded market and platform for relations with the world is highly underutilized. MERCOSUR is in need of an adrenaline rush."
Similarly, the Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Viera He acknowledged Paraguay's leadership and reaffirmed Brazil's commitment to an increasingly integrated MERCOSUR. "To face global challenges, we must first strengthen our bloc with greater integration of production chains, more cooperation and defense of the fundamental principles: peace and democracy," he said.
The Foreign Minister of Uruguay, Omar Paganini, He also emphasized the Pro Tempore Presidency of the second semester. In this regard, Paganini highlighted progress in “regional reflection” and “collective action.” “In the coming years, MERCOSUR must continue to be guided by the guiding principles of pragmatism, gradualism and balance,” he said. He also acknowledged that the number of processes on the external agenda in terms of trade is “numerous,” but “limited in terms of results.”
“We propose to revitalize the external agenda, because we believe that by opening up to the world, MERCOSUR will be able to improve and develop,” he said. Another of Uruguay’s priorities will be to “eliminate trade barriers” within MERCOSUR, among which Paganini mentioned “administrative, financial, and exchange measures” that hinder reciprocal exchange.
In addition to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the States Parties of MERCOSUR, the following also intervened this Sunday: Bolivian Foreign Minister Celinda SosaHe said that President Luis Arce promulgated the Accession Protocol, assuring that this fact presents a new scenario in which work will be done to "deepen integration at all necessary levels," in accordance with the commitments derived from the aforementioned protocol.
Tomorrow (Monday 8), the Summit will conclude with the meeting of Heads of State of MERCOSUR and Associated States.
La live broadcast of the Ordinary Meeting of the Common Market Council can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0F-1QNfjuU)
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