Rio, June 8, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - The Mercosur contributes to the implantation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), insofar as it provides national and international security and offers the experience of infraregional negotiations, the United States Ambassador to Brazil, Donna Hrinak, remarked during the "Multilateral Trade: Brazil and Nafta" seminar sponsored by the American Chamber of Comerce of Rio de Janeiro. She recalled that various differences between Brazil and Argentina were resolved under the auspices of the Mercosur.

The Ambassador revealed that the United States is trying to broaden the set of obligations and laws involved in the formation of the FTAA, so that future negotiations may be based on this shared array. She informed that the set will include specific items such as intellectual property, government purchases, and investments, which are key aspects of the process.

"The idea is to have a set of rights and duties that will be equal for all 34 countries," the Ambassador said.

At the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which will gather in São Paulo next week, an informal meeting is expected among the five main FTAA countries to discuss the negotiations. Hrinak expressed optimism, since she believes that there will be progress at the UNCTAD meeting.

Reporter: Alana Gandra
Translator: David Silberstein