EU-Mercosur trade talks progress on divisive issues, sources say

7/9/2024 13:14

        European Union and South American negotiators ended two days of trade negotiations on Friday with "significant progress" on contentious issues that have been holding up the long-overdue EU-Mercosur agreement.
        
        Two sources said the negotiations seem to be on course for a positive conclusion before the end of the year. The meeting marked the first in-person talks since April.
        
        "The round of negotiations went very well. There was significant progress in the areas of the environment and government procurement," said a source at the Brazilian foreign ministry, where the talks were held.
        
        "A new round of negotiations should take place in a few weeks," the official added.
        
        Eleven EU governments this week called for a rapid conclusion of the trade deal that has been in the works for 25 years in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.