German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated on Wednesday (1st) that the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union still faces obstacles before its final ratification. According to him, despite the challenges, the main advances have already been achieved and there is a willingness to resolve the outstanding issues. The statement was made after the German Chancellor's participation in the Mercosur summit, held in Paraguay and concluded on Tuesday (30th), during which the bloc's countries discussed, among other topics, the distribution of export quotas foreseen in the agreement with the European Union. "Implementation will still take some time. Certainly there will be some problems, but problems that can be solved," Wadephul stated during a press conference alongside Argentina's Secretary of International Economic Relations, Pablo Quirno, in Buenos Aires. "The decisive steps have already been taken. We want this agreement and we will be able to resolve the problems that arise," added the minister, without detailing what the remaining obstacles might be. The agreement between Mercosur and the European Union will create one of the world's largest free trade areas, encompassing a market of approximately 700 million consumers.
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.