Mercosur-EU trade negotiations could terminate by end of 2003

26/02/2002 - 11h18

Brasília, 26 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Brazil's top trade negotiator, ambassador José Alfredo Graça Lima, says it is probable that negotiations for a free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union (EU) could be completed by the end of 2003 and go into effect by December 2004. Pointing out that these negotiations do not have a deadline, unlike Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) talks, Graça Lima says they should move ahead more quickly and could exert pressure on FTAA negotiations. The FTAA is to become effective in January 2006, but while Mercosur-EU talks are already underway, FTAA negotiating guidelines are to be set only in April of this year. (AB)