Malcorra: “We have to achieve full integration into the world step by step”

Argentine Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra held a press conference today at the Palacio San Martín, during which she referred to the negotiations conducted by Mercosur and the European Union: “We think that both sides are deeply convinced that this is the right time to negotiate. When I met with Cecilia Malmström, the EU Commissioner for Trade, and with Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, they confirmed the intention of the European Union to conclude an agreement as soon as possible. We are aware that it is unlikely to finalize all the details but we want to make progress, at least, in reaching a political framework agreement during this year”.

“This was confirmed during President Macri’s visit to Spain, as it could be seen that Spain supported the agreement and that progress would be made in this respect. We are convinced that we have chances. We are aware that we have differences as well”, added Malcorra.

“We have to start working on that path in areas on which we agree more, making progress as fast as possible, because it is important to start completing some chapters and defining a way to get to a point of convergence in areas in which we have not yet reached agreements”, said Malcorra stressing that “unless everything is concluded, nothing is concluded. Such is the principle behind all agreements”.

In this regard, Malcorra stated: “We have to make the most of the tools offered by Mercosur and of Mercosur as a complete market. The truth is that Mercosur represents such a big market opportunity that we have to commit to support Mercosur more than ever. As far as flexibility is concerned, there must be a focus on integration within Mercosur, which, as we very well know, is still far from perfect so the focus has been on strengthening Mercosur and on working more united than ever”.

Foreign Minister Malcorra underscored that the meeting of ministers with the Pacific Alliance will take place “in less than a month” and she stated that “the prime objective is to give a clear signal of commitment regarding the fact that Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance, and the Pacific Alliance and Mercosur, are really interested in finding supplementation mechanisms. This means identifying what we can do at a first stage and I think that the outcome of that meeting will be a roadmap to move forward in this regard.    

“We are highly optimistic, as we have said since the beginning of our administration, about the need to achieve full integration into the world step by step, intelligent integration that makes it possible for us to better position ourselves, always from the perspective of the interests of Argentina and of the Argentine people”, concluded Malcorra.

Press Release: Nº 069/17

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