EU-Mercosur prospects

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Mercosur is South America's biggest trading bloc, composed of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. In 2000 the EU and Mercosur opened negotiations for an Association Agreement based on political dialogue, cooperation and a free trade area between the two regions. However, in 2004 negotiations were suspended due to a lack of progress being made in the Doha Development Round (similar issues that have prevented and agreement on the Doha Development round are also preventing an agreement between the EU and Mercosur). However, some progress has been made, notably with the creation of a EU-Brazil strategic partnership, which was established in 2007 under the Portuguese Presidency. This event provides for a timely review of EU-Mercosur relations and prospects for the future.

 

Dr. Félix Peña is a specialist in international economic relations, international commercial law and economic integration. He holds degrees from the Universidad del Litoral, Santa Fe, the University of Madrid and the Catholic University of Louvain. Dr. Peña is currently Director if the Institute for International Trade at Standard Bank Foundation; Professor of International Commercial Relations at the National University of Tres de Febrero and Member of the Group of Experts of the Mercosur Chair at Sciences Po (Paris); member of the Évian Group Brains Trust and academic Consultant to the Mercosur Network for Economic Research. He has previously served as Undersecretary of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Economy of Argentina and has been worked in several Mercosur institutions. Further information: http://www.felixpena.com.ar/index.php?contenido=trayectoria&cv=cv-eng