Both parties want the agreement with Mercosur to be concluded and asked the European Commission (EC) for initiatives to facilitate the ratification of the treaty with the European Union (EU) signed in December.

This was stated at a joint press conference in Berlin by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden.

They pointed out that they want to conclude an agreement with Mercosur, while both encouraged the EC presidency to go down this path.

The agreement between the EU and Mercosur countries, which is in the ratification period after being signed last December, still worries several important countries of the Union, such as France and Italy.

These nations are calling for greater balance in the agreement to protect their agricultural sectors and for European phytosanitary rules to be respected.

In his appearance with Frieden, Merz also noted the joint commitment of Germany and Luxembourg to a more modern and more flexible European budget before negotiations begin on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

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