Uruguay eyes EU trade deal as farm sales soar

摘要

Uruguay aims to conclude a trade deal with the EU this year with its Mercosur partners, but relations with neighbouring Argentina have become increasing tense.The next Mercosur summit, delayed from December, is now scheduled to be held in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas in mid-February. On the agenda will be a list of tariff concessions which the Mercosur members will present to the EU, according to Uruguayan foreign minister Luis Almagro.Mercosur/EU trade negotiations started properly almost fifteen years ago, but have yet to reach final agreement. Meat access to the EU has been a particular issue for Uruguay and other members. The suspension of Paraguay from the bloc further delayed the process, but it has since been re-admitted under president Horacio Cartes.