site.btaTwo Largest Parties in European Parliament Support MERCOSUR Agreement

The two largest groups in the European Parliament, the European People's Party (EPP) and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), have expressed their support on Friday for the agreement between the EU and the MERCOSUR countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay).

The EPP group urged EU countries to approve the agreement, stating that it would strengthen European competitiveness, strategic independence and allow the bloc to diversify its trade relations. According to EPP MEP Gabriel Mato, head of the European Parliament’s negotiating team, it will lead to an increase in exports of EUR 4.9 billion and the creation of 440,000 jobs.

According to a statement issued by the S&D group, strengthening cooperation between Europe and Latin America is a strategic necessity for the EU. The statement calls on EU countries to "seize this historic opportunity" and support the agreement. "Europe cannot afford hesitation at a moment when the world around us is becoming more fragmented and unpredictable", said S&D President Iratxe Garcia in the statement. According to her, the agreement with MERCOSUR should be finalized while US President Donald Trump "revives an aggressive and interventionist version of the Monroe Doctrine – from his illegal actions against Venezuela to his unacceptable threats towards other countries in Latin America and even Greenland". Garcia added that the agreement demonstrates the type of global order that the EU wishes to uphold.

At the end of last year, the agreement was supported by the Renew Europe group, while the Greens insisted that stronger protections for European farmers be introduced before the document was signed. If the EU Council supports the conclusion of an agreement with the MERCOSUR countries on Friday, the European Parliament will also vote. The agreement can only enter into force after approval by both EU institutions.