A statement from the Commission points out its confidence that it will be possible to conclude the trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur as quickly as possible.

This comes after the signing, scheduled for last weekend in Brazil, was postponed until early next year.

EC spokesperson Olof Gill stated that the expectation now is to discuss the matter with the member states and to address it with the same urgency in the new year with the aim of finalizing the agreement as quickly as possible. He asserted that they believe it is achievable.

He also affirmed that after 25 years of negotiations, it is not a problem if finalizing the agreement requires a few additional weeks.

Farmers protesting the agreement are demanding that Latin American products entering the European Union be subject to the same standards as those of the 27 member states, which would entail applying the so-called Mirror Clauses.

jdt)arm/mem/rfc