Mercosur highlights disappointment with the non-signing of the partnership agreement with the European Union

The presidents of the Mercosur member states expressed disappointment at the failure to sign the partnership agreement between Mercosur and the European Union (EU) during the 67th Summit of the economic bloc presidents on Saturday, 20, as expected for the occasion, due to a lack of political consensus on the agreement in the European community instances. This is stated in a joint statement signed by the heads of state of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and the Bolivian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Nevertheless, the countries expressed confidence that the EU will finalize the internal procedures that will allow European countries to sign the agreement with the economic bloc, "so that the Pro Tempore Presidency in turn and the Member States can eventually set a possible date for the signing." According to the statement, "the text of the agreement is the result of a balance carefully reached after 26 years of negotiations and its signing would give a positive signal to the ...