EU Chief Negotiator Confident Agreement with Mercosur Will Be Reached After June Elections
The Mercosur/European Union trade and cooperation agreement is a complex process, but Rupert Schlegelmilch, the chief EU negotiator, is optimistic about its future. He recently visited Mercosur countries and met with government officials and business groups to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to finalizing the deal.
Schlegelmilch acknowledges the challenges posed by the upcoming EU elections and opposition from EU farmers, who are concerned about the impact of the agreement on agriculture. He also highlighted previous setbacks in negotiations due to political changes in Mercosur countries and within the EU.
Despite these challenges, Schlegelmilch believes that progress can be made after the EU elections. He emphasized the importance of environmental protection and human rights in EU policies and addressed concerns raised by some business leaders.
In response to criticism from French President Emmanuel Macron, Schlegelmilch clarified that decisions on trade agreements are made by the European Commission, with input from the EU Council and Parliament. He expressed hope for a common strategy post-elections and emphasized the strategic importance of the Mercosur agreement for the EU.
Schlegelmilch also addressed concerns about the impact of the agreement on the farming sector, noting that the focus should be on making EU agriculture more sustainable through legislation and practices. He expressed confidence in the majority support for the agreement within the EU and optimism for its future under the leadership of Ursula Von der Leyen.
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