Temer: Mercosur, EU to meet in 20 days
In a statement made yesterday (Sep. 25), in New York, President Michel Temer said that representatives from Mercosur and the European Union (EU) are likely to hold another meeting soon in order to discuss unsettled issues for a deal between the two blocs. The talks for a new agreement have been going on for 18 years and have intensified over the last two years.
“In 15, 20 days, chancellors from country members, along with negotiators, will meet and check the last possible negotiation topics regarding the EU–Mercosur deal. Then, the presidents will meet to bring a political touch to the agreement,” Temer told journalists.
After his speech at the 73rd General Assembly of the United Nations, in New York, Temer met with Colombian President Iván Duque. The two discussed the migration influx of Venezuelans in both countries, and Temer mentioned Brazil’s efforts to shelter refugees. The two presidents also talked about Brazil–Colombia trade.
In one of his engagements in New York, Temer was interviewed by UN News. He reiterated what he said in his speech, in which he criticized isolationism, intolerance, and unilateralism. “Isolating oneself may seem useful at first, but it’s extremely prejudiced and damaging. What we argue for is multilateralism. The states must talk. I see the benefits brought by UN meetings like these.”
Temer also maintained that the nations should feel more optimistic in their practices, “People should feel very optimitistic. What we need the most is construction—social, economic, political construction. All countries must have optimism as the conduit for their activities,” the Brazilian president stressed.
*Pedro Peduzzi contributed to this article.
