Brasília - Negotiators who represent member countries of the Mercosur and the European Union (EU) and who are meeting in Lisbon in an attempt to conclude a free trade agreement between the two blocs, decided to continue discussions through 2005.

There was a deadline for the two blocs to conclude an agreement by the end of this month. At yesterday's (20) meeting, the representatives decided to prepare for a meeting of Ministers during the first quarter of 2005. In a note, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Relations affirms that "the representatives of the countries that are involved are convinced of the need for the negotiations to proceed."

The note also says that the representatives identified topics in which flexibility could be demonstrated in the negotations.

Agência Brasil
Translator: David Silberstein
10/21/2004