Mercosur Discuss Plans to Become More Flexible

09/21/2016 - 12h01

The Mercosur countries are willing to make the block more flexible to allow its members to make trade agreements with other nations without the participation of all members.

Currently, any trade negotiations with third countries have to be made with the participation of all four founding members (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay).

Under normal conditions, the fifth partner, Venezuela, should also participate, but at the moment, as the country is virtually suspended from the block, it does not take part in the agreements.

The decision to seek flexibility was the biggest news announced after the meeting between President Michel Temer (Brazil) and Tabaré Vázquez (Uruguay) on Monday (19) in New York, where both attended the UN General Assembly.

Translated by MARINA DELLA VALLE

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	Beto Barata/Presidencia de Brasil
	Meeting between President Michel Temer (Brazil) and Tabaré Vázquez (Uruguay), in New York