Brasília - Mercosur and European Union businessmen have asked their governments to be more flexible in dealing with controversial trade issues. The call came out of the Mercosur - European Union Business Forum in Brasilia, where there was concern caused by the failure of the September Cancun trade meeting.

"After Cancun it is necessary to make progress in bi-regional talks that include agriculture," said a document signed by executives, among them representatives of transnational firms such as Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, DaimlerChrysler, Telefônica, Siemens and Itaú.

The three-day forum discussed two main issues: the reduction of EU trade tariffs and export subsidies, which is of interest to Mercosur; and the so-called Singapore agenda on investments, competition, government procurement and trade facilitation, which is of interest to EU members. (AB)