Brazil's pro-tempore presidency of the Mercosur will focus on strengthening regional integration and the trade bloc's relationship with other countries and continents. President Michel Temer will attend a Mercosur summit in Mendoza (Argentina) beginning this Friday (21).

According to Alexandre Parola, spokesman of the Presidency of the Republic, Temer will take the opportunity to announce the priorities of the Brazilian presidency. They are: the conclusion of the agreement on government procurement; the continued elimination of barriers to trade between partner countries; the harmonisation of technical standards; and the close monitoring of the situation in Venezuela.

“In Mendoza, President Michel Temer will promote the interests of economic and trade integration, which translate into growth, jobs and income, and defend the values of democracy, an essential condition for our integration process," said the spokesman in a statement on Wednesday (19).

Foreign agenda

Brazil's foreign agenda as presiding country of the bloc will prioritise the conclusion of negotiations for the trade agreement with the European Union. Negotiations with the European Free Trade Association (composed of Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein) will also be a high priority item.

Another issue to be addressed at the summit is the importance of Mercosur maintaining exploratory dialogues with Canada and Asian partners. "The president also attaches particular importance to Brazil’s rapprochement with the Pacific Alliance countries, which will be another priority for the Brazilian presidency," he said.