Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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# 92001E3709

**WRITTEN QUESTION E-3709/01 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Free-trade agreement with Mercosur.** 
  
*Official Journal 277 E , 14/11/2002 P. 0016 - 0016*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3709/01

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 January 2002)

Subject: Free-trade agreement with Mercosur

Does the Commission consider it possible to reach a settlement regarding a free-trade agreement between the European Union and the South American customs union Mercosur in the near future, and is anything currently happening in the negotiations between the Union and Mercosur?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2002)

The Union has long supported a strengthening of the process of regional integration represented by the Mercosur(1) initiative which it has supported since its inception in 1991. Notwithstanding the current cyclical downturn on both sides of the Atlantic, the Union continues to work towards a stronger relationship with Mercosur and a deepening of the Mercosur process internally. According to the Directives for the negotiation by the Commission, this Association Agreement has three pillars: political, co-operation and trade.

Six rounds have already taken place in the negotiation of a biregional Association Agreement between Mercosur and the Union. The 7th round of negotiations will take place in Buenos Aires on 8-12 April 2002.

Substantial progress has been achieved on the political and co-operation chapters.

Concerning the trade negotiations, a comprehensive and ambitious agenda is under negotiation, including inter alia liberalisation of goods and services, investment, government procurement, intellectual property rights, competition, a dispute settlement mechanism. Important progress has been registered so far, especially in the second half of 2001, with the exchange of tariff offers and of negotiating texts for the chapters on goods, services, and government procurement. The nature of these negotiations and the number of partners involved means that time is needed for these negotiations. The progress of these negotiations is at least in part linked to the evolution of economic integration within Mercosur.

The current situation in the region and, in particular the crisis in Argentina, is clearly a cause for concern: nevertheless, it is clear that both sides are determined to carry out their work programme in these negotiations and ensure that further progress is made. The General Affairs Council of 28 January 2002 adopted a political Declaration in favour of Mercosur as the Union believes that a strengthened Mercosur will be the key to the development of the region. At this meeting, the Union also reiterated the commitment to continue to make further progress in the negotiations.

(1) Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

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