Brussels – “This is about resilience. This is about growth and Europe shaping its own future.” With these words, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced today (27 February) the provisional launch of the agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay). Following ratification by Buenos Aires and Montevideo, the EU executive has decided, as previously announced by von der Leyen, to launch the trade agreement. “Uruguay and Argentina became the first countries to ratify the EU-Mercosur Agreement. Brazil and Paraguay are expected to follow soon. And it is such good news. Because it shows the trust and eagerness of our partners to take our relationship forward and to get this landmark agreement to work,” von der Leyen said.
The move by the Commission comes after the European Parliament decided to send the agreements to the Court of Justice of the European Union to verify their compliance with the EU Treaties, preventing the House from giving its green light until the Luxembourg judges had ruled. However, in January, by giving their consent to the signing, the Member States also authorised the Commission to provisionally apply the agreement from the date of the first ratification by one of the Mercosur countries. “I have said before: When they are ready, we are ready. Therefore, over the last weeks, I have discussed this intensively with Member States, and with Members of the European Parliament. On that basis, the Commission will now proceed with provisional application,” the President points out.
“The Mercosur Agreement creates a market of 720 million people. It opens countless opportunities. It cuts billions in tariffs. It allows our small and medium-sized businesses to access markets and scale they could only dream of before. And it also gives Europe a strategic first-mover advantage in a world of sharp competition and short horizons. But a first-mover advantage has to materialise,” the President emphasises.
Von der Leyen clarifies, however, that it is provisional. “‘Provisional application’ is, by its nature – provisional. It is right there in the name. In line with the EU Treaties, the Agreement can only be fully concluded once the European Parliament has given its consent. So the Commission will continue to work closely with all EU institutions, Member States and stakeholders to ensure a smooth and transparent process,” she explains.
However, for the Commission, getting the agreement off the ground is a matter of credibility. “Mercosur is one of the most consequential trade agreements of the first half of this century. It is a platform for deep political engagement with partners who see the world as we do. And who believe in openness, partnership and good faith. Partners who understand that open and rules-based trade delivers positive results for all. Mercosur embodies the spirit in which Europe is acting on the global scene,” von der Leyen said. In short, “Europe is getting stronger and more independent. Our businesses, our workers and our citizens will reap the benefits – and they should reap them as soon as possible,” von der Leyen notes. Because “this is about resilience. It is about growth and Europe shaping its own future,” she concludes.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
