The executive secretary of the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services, Márcio Elias, said today (23) that the federal government intends to close the free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union this year. In an interview in Lisbon, where he is accompanying President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s entourage, Elias stated that Brazil’s intention is to close the agreement in the first half of the year. “The expectation is that the agreement closes this year, as soon as possible. If possible, we would close this semester, as is our wish,” he said. According to the secretary, the Brazilian government remains in contact with European authorities to unblock the requirements that must be fulfilled by the country and the other members of the bloc. Elias also stated that the obstacles are related to environmental requirements and labor legislation, which are already complied with by Brazil, but need the endorsement of other countries to count in the clauses of the trade agreement. “We are very close, but for that it is necessary to think globally. We have several issues that need to be dealt with. None of them is insurmountable. That is why President Lula has said that we are going to close the agreement”, he added. *With information from TV Brasil.
Agência Brasil
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