Mon. Dec 23rd, 2024

EU – Mercosur Agreement: Statements by politicians

Dec 6, 2024 , , , , ,
The Presidents of Argentina, Uruguay , the EU Commission, Brazil, and Paraguay: Javier Milei, Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou, Ursula von der Leyen, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Santiago Peña
EU - Mercosur family photo. Source: EU Commission

Montevideo, 6 December 2024

Joint Statement by the Signatory State Parties of MERCOSUR – Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, and Paraguay – and the European Commission on the Conclusion of the Negotiations of the Partnership Agreement

The Signatory State Parties of MERCOSUR – the Republic of Argentina, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Republic of Paraguay and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay – and the European Commission have announced, at the 65th MERCOSUR Summit Meeting (Montevideo, December, 6th), the conclusion of the negotiations of a Partnership Agreement between the two regions, after more than two decades of negotiations.

Taking into account the progress made in the last decades up to June 2019, MERCOSUR and the European Commission have been engaged, since 2023, in an intense process of negotiations, aiming at adjusting the agreement to the challenges faced at the national, regional and global levels. In the last two years, both sides took part in seven rounds of negotiations, among other meetings, and committed to reviewing any relevant matter.

In light of the progress achieved since 2023, the Partnership Agreement between MERCOSUR and the European Union is now ready for legal review and translation. Both blocs are determined to carry out such activities in the next months, with a view to the future signing of the agreement.

Source – EU Commission

 

Press statement by President von der Leyen on the occasion of the Mercosur leaders’ meeting

Montevideo, 6 December 2024

Señoras y señores, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today marks a truly historic milestone. Let me begin by thanking the Chief Negotiators for their dedication and determination. They worked tirelessly, over many years, for an ambitious and balanced agreement – and they succeeded. The bond between Europe and the Mercosur countries is truly one of the strongest in the world. It is a bond anchored in trust, enriched by a shared heritage, that spans centuries of mutual learning and growth. In fact, exactly 30 years ago, in 1994, my predecessor Jacques Delors stood here in Montevideo. He met with your father, dear Luis, who was then President of Uruguay. Together they shared a bold vision. A vision of deeper integration, not only within Europe and Mercosur, but also between them. Today, in Montevideo, we are turning that vision into reality. We are strengthening this unique partnership as never before. And in doing so, we are sending a clear and powerful message to the world.

First, in an increasingly confrontational world, we demonstrate that democracies can rely on each other. This agreement is not just an economic opportunity, it is a political necessity. We are like-minded partners. We both believe that openness and cooperation are the true engines of progress and prosperity. I know that strong winds are blowing in the opposite direction – towards isolation and fragmentation. But this agreement is our clear response. We stand together on the global stage, as partners.

Second, we are sending a message to our people and businesses in our regions: This agreement was designed with your interests at heart. It is made to work for you. It means: more jobs – and good jobs – more choices and better prices. The European Union and Mercosur create one of the largest trade and investment partnerships the world has ever seen. We are taking barriers down and we are allowing investments in. We are forming a market of over 700 million consumers. This partnership will strengthen entire value chains; it will develop strategic industries; it will support innovation; and it will create jobs and values, on both sides of the Atlantic.

Third, we are showing the world that trade can – and must – be guided by values. Trade agreements are more than economic frameworks. They are a way to build communities of shared values. The EU-Mercosur agreement reflects our steadfast commitment to the Paris Agreement and to the fight against deforestation. President Lula’s efforts to protect the Amazon are welcome and necessary. But preserving the Amazon is a shared responsibility of all humanity. This agreement ensures that investments respect Mercosur’s extraordinary yet fragile natural heritage.

My fourth message is that, economically, this is a win-win agreement. Europe is already a leading investment and trade partner for Mercosur. So you know how we do business together. We are focused on fairness and mutual respect. EU-Mercosur will bring meaningful benefits to consumers and businesses, on both sides. It will facilitate European investments in strategic industries across all Mercosur countries: like sustainable mining, renewable energy and sustainable forest products, just to name a few. It will also make it easier to invest in sectors that directly impact the people’s daily lives. For example, expanding the electricity grid to rural and remote areas and advancing digitalisation across the region.

Finally, let me address my fellow Europeans: This agreement is a win for Europe. 60,000 companies are exporting to Mercosur today – 30,000 of them are small and medium-sized enterprises. They benefit from reduced tariffs, simpler customs procedures and preferential access to some critical raw materials. This will create huge business opportunities. To our farmers: We have heard you, listened to your concerns and we are acting on them. This agreement includes robust safeguards to protect your livelihoods. EU-Mercosur is the biggest agreement ever, when it comes to the protection of EU food and drinks products. The agreement protects 350 EU geographical indications. In addition, our European health and food standards remain untouchable. This is the reality – the reality of an agreement that will save EU companies EUR 4 billion worth of export duties per year while expanding our markets and opening new opportunities for growth and jobs on both sides.

I want to thank President Lacalle Pou for hosting this Summit and for bringing us together in Montevideo. This is a good day for Mercosur, a good day for Europe and a landmark moment for our shared future. A whole generation dedicated their effort, vision and determination to bring this agreement to life. Now, it is our turn to honour that legacy. Let us ensure that this agreement delivers on its promises and serves the generations to come.

Thank you very much.

Source –EU Commission

 

A good day for Europe’s competitiveness: Op-ed by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

Brussels, 6 December 2024

Europe has always been a trading continent, but we are now facing a world where trade barriers are on the rise. Our companies and farmers are encountering growing restrictions, unfair competition and geopolitical uncertainties – all of which threaten their competitiveness. The new partnership between the European Union and Mercosur represents an opportunity to reverse this trend. This is why I travelled to Montevideo this week: to conclude our negotiations and unlock the value of a closer cooperation with a large, fast-growing market of over 260 million people.

Five years ago, we reached an initial agreement in principle between the European Union and Mercosur countries – Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. However, it sparked concerns across different sectors of Europe’s societies and the economy, ranging from farmers to consumers’ associations and environmental NGOs.

We have listened carefully to these voices, and in five years of negotiations, we have addressed each concern directly. The agreement that we have now reached has the strongest protections ever incorporated into a trade agreement. It protects our most essential economic sectors, including agriculture and food. It protects our consumers by enforcing high standards. And it prioritises the protection of our planet and its green lungs. This is not the same deal as five years ago – it has been transformed. Today, we can confidently say it is a better deal for the people of Europe.

This new partnership comes at a pivotal moment for Europe. The global landscape has become more fragmented and confrontational than it used to be. Last year, trade restrictions worldwide have more than tripled in value. To overcome these challenges, we must forge stronger ties with like-minded partners.

The European Union and Mercosur will create a market of 700 million people. This will bring immediate benefits first and foremost to the tens of thousands of European companies – half of them small and medium-sized enterprises – that already trade with Latin America. Mercosur’s tariffs on European products are steep: 35% on fashion, 27% on wine, and up to 55% on other agri-food products. The agreement will eliminate almost all tariffs on all products, and this saves EU-exporters up to 4 billion euros per year – and open this dynamic market to European exporters.

This is also the most comprehensive agreement ever negotiated for protecting European food and drinks. More than 350 European products will be protected by a geographical indication. This means that it will be illegal to sell imitations or fakes. For example, no more “Comté-style cheese” will be sold in Mercosur supermarkets – only the original, Made in France. For the first time ever, European inspectors will have the opportunity to check and stop such practices.

With this deal, European farmers will benefit from new safeguards. We negotiated import ceilings for sensitive agri-food products: Mercosur imports will represent only a small fraction of European consumption – 0.1% for pork and 1.5% for beef. Crucially, Mercosur exporters must meet the same rigorous standards as European producers. To ensure that this is always the case, we have agreed on stronger controls and closer cooperation with local authorities in Mercosur countries.

The European Commission will monitor market developments closely after the agreement is implemented, particularly with regard to the agricultural sector. We will ensure that the partnership with Mercosur will be a win for European farmers – as well as for European consumers. For the unlikely event that the agricultural sector in Europe is negatively impacted following the implementation of the new agreement, we intend to set up a reserve worth at least one billion euros. This is our insurance policy for our farmers and rural areas. And together with the European agricultural sector, we will launch new measures to simplify and reduce red tape for them.

The deal is also good news for European industries that rely on raw materials from abroad. The demand for critical minerals needed for clean and digital technologies will triple by the decade’s end. The global race to control their production and trade is already underway. Mercosur countries are among the largest global producers of lithium, iron ore, nickel and more. The new partnership will lower or remove export taxes. It will eliminate export restrictions and monopolies. And it will diversify our suppliers and reduce our overdependencies. On imports as much as on exports, the EU-Mercosur agreement will enhance Europe’s competitiveness across the board.

The economic case for this agreement is clear. But for Europe, trade agreements are not just about economics. This new agreement is also a geopolitical necessity. Trade partnerships are a way to build and strengthen communities of shared values. This is also the case for our partnerships with Mercosur. Both sides share so much, a common history, culture, languages. We both believe that climate change is the defining challenge of our time. So the deal reflects our joint commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and the fight against deforestation. The European Union and Mercosur also share the belief that international cooperation is the true engine of progress and prosperity. While other powers are moving in the opposite direction, we choose to stand together on the global stage, for freer and fairer trade.

This is why today is a good day for Europe and Mercosur. A generation of leaders has dedicated years to reaching a deal with the best conditions for Europe. Now it is time for future generations – of consumers and companies, families and farmers – to reap its benefits. This is how we act on our shared goal to boost Europe’s competitiveness.

Source – EU Commission

 

Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs welcome Mercosur deal

Statement by the leading MEPs of the Foreign Affairs Committee on the announced conclusion of the negotiations on the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement.

The Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs David McAllister (EPP, DE), the Chair of the Delegation for relations with Mercosur Evelyn Regner (S&D, AT) and the Committee on Foreign Affairs’ standing rapporteur on Mercosur Francisco José Millán Mon (EPP, ES) made the following statement on Friday, 6 December:

“We welcome the conclusion of the negotiations on the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement, which marks a significant milestone in advancing interregional cooperation between the European Union and Mercosur.

Furthermore, it underscores the shared commitment of both regions to fostering closer political, economic and social ties while addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, and geopolitical realignment.

The strategic alignment between the EU and Mercosur has significant geopolitical value, as it can help the two regions strengthen their collective autonomy and resilience while promoting democracy, sustainability, and multilateralism.

The European Parliament will now analyse the text and will examine it thoroughly. We are looking forward to working on the EU-Mercosur agreement within the context of a comprehensive, balanced, forward-looking, and constructive debate on the concerns as well as the benefits related to it, with a view to ensuring that it delivers tangible results for citizens, businesses, consumers and civil society.”

Next steps

Once concluded, the agreement would undergo a legal review, after which it will be translated into all official EU languages. When these steps are completed, the Commission will present it to the Parliament and EU Member States’ governments for approval. Parliament must give its consent for any international agreement to be concluded and enter into force. The Committee on Foreign Affairs will be responsible for examining the political dialogue and cooperation part of the agreement while the Committee on International Trade will be responsible for the trade part. Subsequently, the plenary would decide whether to approve or reject the agreement.

Further information

Source – EU Parliament

 

The EU-Mercosur Deal is a much-needed boost for the EU’s economy

“The conclusion of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement marks a historic milestone in strengthening the ties between two regions that share values and ambitions. It has been a long journey, culminating in an agreement that affects more than 700 million people. This agreement is good news for consumers, economic growth and employment in Europe,” explains Gabriel Mato MEP, the Parliament’s lead negotiator on the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement.

“This is a historic moment for Europe. We have just concluded negotiations with Mercosur, creating the largest free trade zone in the world, with an additional market of more than 260 million potential customers for European goods. It simplifies exports, lowers tariffs, and sets standards, creating significant job opportunities and economic growth in Europe. This is a much-needed boost to EU competitiveness. We must now swiftly ratify the EU-Mercosur trade deal,” says Jörgen Warborn MEP, the EPP Group’s Spokesman on International Trade.

The European Commission and the Mercosur Common Market Council concluded negotiations on the EU-Mercosur trade agreement today in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo.

“The elimination of 91 per cent of tariffs will create unprecedented opportunities for European businesses, benefiting key sectors such as automotive and pharmaceuticals. At the same time, the agreement reaffirms Europe’s commitment to sustainability, including robust measures to combat deforestation and climate change. This is a clear signal that the EU prioritises partnerships with democratic allies and shared values, paving the way for a stronger, more resilient Europe on the global stage,” says Mato.

“The Mercosur agreement offers significant opportunities to diversify our supply chains away from China and to address potential tariffs from the US,” stresses Warborn. “Now, the European Commission must stop overburdening our farmers and ensure that our products can compete at the highest level against imports from Latin America.”

If the agreement is ratified Europe would benefit in particular from the elimination of the current high tariffs on industrial goods and the opening up of the Mercosur countries Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay to EU companies. The agreement would also protect approximately 350 of the EU’s geographical indications (GIs) in the Mercosur market. The deal also includes provisions for sensitive agricultural products, introducing limited tariff rate quotas (TRQs), in-quota duties, extended staging periods, and a safeguard instrument. The agreement contains an ambitious sustainability chapter with legally binding rules on labour, environment and climate.

Source – EPP Group

 

EU-Abgeordneter Daniel Caspary (CDU) zum EU-MercosurAbkommen

Zur Politischen Einigung zum EU-Mercosur Freihandelsabkommen erklärt Daniel Caspary (CDU), Vorsitzender der CDU/CSU-Gruppe im Europäischen Parlament und Mitglied im Ausschuss für internationalen Handel:

“Das ist ein riesiger Schritt für die Europäische Union, die Mercosur-Staaten und den weltweiten Freihandel. Ursula von der Leyen beweist Mut und Weitsicht. In Zeiten von Trump II, russischer Aggression und chinesischer Machtpolitik kann man diesen Abschluss für die EU nicht hoch genug einschätzen. Eine Freihandelszone mit mehr als 700 Millionen Menschen ist ein Meilenstein. Die Europäische Union sendet damit ein deutliches Signal für den Freihandel, für Multilateralismus und beweist ihre Handlungsfähigkeit, trotz aller politischer Krisen in den Mitgliedstaaten und nationaler Partikularinteressen.

Die positiven Argumente für dieses Freihandelsabkommen überwiegen deutlich. Der angekündigte Agrarfonds wird helfen, Härtefälle zu verhindern. Zudem ist die EU auch im Agrarbereich Nettoexporteur von Lebensmitteln und Nahrungsprodukten. Unterm Strich wird auch die Landwirtschaft von diesem Abkommen profitieren.

Jetzt gilt es, das Abkommen gegen den größtenteils unverhältnismäßigen Widerstand in Frankreich und anderen Mitgliedstaaten sicher ins Ziel zu bringen und Mehrheiten im Rat und Europäischen Parlament zu sichern.”

Quelle – CDU/CSU-Gruppe im EU-Prlament

 

EU-Abgeordneter Markus Ferber (CSU) zum Ende der Verhandlungen über das EU-Mercosur-Abkommen

„Bei dem EU-Mercosur-Abkommen müssen die Vorteile überwiegen – dies gilt es für uns Parlamentarier nun zu prüfen“

Auf dem zweitägigen Mercosur-Gipfel in Uruguays Hauptstadt Montevideo konnte die Europäische Kommission heute die über 25 Jahre andauernden Verhandlungen über das Freihandelsabkommen zwischen der EU und der Mercosur-Region abschließen. Dadurch könnte die weltweit größte Freihandelszone mit mehr als 720 Millionen Menschen entstehen. Der CSU-Europaabgeordnete Markus Ferber gibt angesichts der erhitzen Debatte rund um das Ende der Verhandlungen zu bedenken:

„Das grüne Licht der Kommissionspräsidentin am Ende langer Verhandlungen zwischen der EU und den Mercosur-Ländern ist nicht gleichbedeutend mit einem zügigen Inkrafttreten des Abkommens. Im Gegenteil, hierfür ist noch die Ratifizierung durch die beiden Gesetzgeber der Europäischen Union im Parlament und im Rat nötig.

Der Gesetzgebungsprozess muss auch in diesem Fall gewährt bleiben, das gebührt schon der Respekt vor dem Europäischen Parlament und den Mitgliedstaaten.

Als CSU-Europaabgeordneter werde ich, sobald mir der finale Text vorliegt, einen genauen Blick auf das Abkommen werfen. Zustimmen kann ich einem Abkommen nur, wenn die Belange der heimischen Landwirtschaft ausreichend berücksichtigt sind. Mir ist wichtig, dass unsere Industrieunternehmen neue Exportchancen bekommen. Das ist in der aktuellen schwierigen Situation der deutschen Wirtschaft essenziell. Gleichzeitig muss aber auch der faire Wettbewerb für unsere Landwirte weiterhin gewährleistet bleiben.“

Quelle – Markus Ferber (per E-Mail)

 

ECR Group: No green light from us for EU-Mercosur deal for now

Carlo Fidanza, agriculture coordinator for the ECR Group in the European Parliament, has described the EU-Mercosur trade agreement negotiated today by the European Commission and the Mercosur Common Market Council as “unbalanced and detrimental to European agriculture”.

“There is no reason for us to give the green light yet. Improvements are urgently needed in a number of key areas. For example, there are not enough guarantees that European veterinary and phytosanitary controls will be respected and that our health and quality standards will be fulfilled for products entering our internal market”, Fidanza said.

“Furthermore, the Commission’s commitments to intervene with adequate compensation for European producers in the event of market disruption are too meagre”, he added.

According to Fidanza, given the burdens that farmers are already facing as a result of crises and the Green Deal, more consideration needs to be given to the European agricultural sector:

“In this period of profound global geopolitical instability, we would all like to see more fruitful relations with Latin America, starting with the Mercosur countries. But this must not happen to the detriment of the European agricultural sector, which has already been damaged for too many years by suicidal European decisions,” he concluded.

Source – ECR Group (by email)

 

GUE/NGL Group: EU-Mercosur agreement devastating news for European farmers and EU climate commitments

Today’s announcement of a deal between the EU and Mercosur countries for a free trade agreement is a devastating blow to small European farmers, public health standards and EU climate commitments. The Left in the European Parliament strongly condemns this agreement which puts profits of transnational companies above the interests of people and the planet .

Manon Aubry (La France Insoumise, France), co-chair of The Left group in the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the Committee on International Trade, said “The conclusion of the free trade agreement with Mercosur is an absolute disgrace for the EU. It will heavily impact farmers already struggling to make a living, will pose a huge risk to citizens’ health and will wreck the climate. It is no wonder that the proponents of the agreement have put significant effort into keeping citizens and parliamentarians in the dark. It’s not over yet and we will keep fighting as long as it takes to bring down this absurd deal.”

Luke Ming Flanagan (Independent, Ireland), Vice-Chair of the Delegation for relations with Mercosur, said “It is utter hypocrisy from the EU to be driving ahead with a trade deal with the Mercosur bloc while at the same time lecturing farmers and others in the EU to reduce their carbon footprint. This is a deal being done at the behest of multinationals to facilitate their global exploitation of natural resources and human labour for narrow financial gain for the few. One of the most impacted sectors will be extensive agriculture, in the peripheral regions of the EU, who will be unable to compete with the economies of scale and the lower cost base of competitors in Mercosur countries.”

Left Coordinator for the International Trade Committee Lynn Boylan (Sinn Féin, Ireland) added “The European Commission is hell bent on ratifying this rotten trade deal and it’s now up to national governments to form a blocking minority at the EU Council. Any EU government that claims to stand on the side of the environment and on the side of farmers must put their money where their mouth is and stop the EU-Mercosur deal.”

The EU-Mercosur trade agreement negotiations have been opposed for over two decades by farmers’ movements and climate activists alike. During this last year of intense negotiations, the Commission has kept a tight lid on the content of talks, while public representatives and civil society have largely been kept in the dark, stifling public debate over the agreement.

The Left has also strongly condemned the lack of transparency and democratic accountability on the part of the European Parliament in particular. By refusing to share documents and to hold any public debate with MEPs, the Commission has directly undermined parliamentary scrutiny and the role of the co-legislator in trade negotiations.

Once finalised, the deal will come before the Council at which point a blocking majority of at least four EU governments will be needed in order to stop Mercosur in its tracks. The Left in the European Parliament will continue to oppose the free trade agreement and propose a full reset of trade agreements based on solidarity, equality, and sustainability.

Source – GUE/NGL Group

 

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