Renew Europe welcomed the European Commission's decision to provisionally apply the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement following its ratification by Uruguay and Argentina.
Renew Europe supports this deal and reaffirms commitment to its swift implementation.
Renew Europe President Valérie Hayer MEP (Renaissance, FR) stated:
“We take note of the European Commission decision to proceed with the provisional application of the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement - an agreement that a majority of Renew Europe supports. We will exchange on the upcoming process with the group, recalling Renew Europe's firm commitment to open and rules-based trade.”
Renew Europe underlined that, in line with the EU Treaties, the European Parliament must give its consent for the agreement to definitively enter into force. The democratic process must run its course.
Solid guarantees are also being insisted upon for the agricultural sector and Renew Europe has managed to have strong safeguards adopted. These must be respected and enforced.
ALDE Party President Svenja Hahn MEP (FDP, DE), Shadow Rapporteur for the European Parliament Committee on International Trade, said:
“I welcome the announcement by the Commission that they are prepared to provisionally apply the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement. This is a huge step forward and in times of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, the mutual commitment to the agreement shows that free trade is not dead. The EU and its Mercosur partners are prepared to focus on greater cooperation through rules-based trade rather than tariff wars or trade barriers. The fact that the agreement can now be applied provisionally is a much-needed boost for the European economy.”
Finally, Urmas Paet (Reformierakond, EE), Shadow Rapporteur for the Committee European Parliament on Foreign Affairs, stated:
"I completely support the provisional application of the Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement. It will provide new opportunities for businesses in the EU Member States as well as for the EU as a whole in world politics. Mercosur countries are very important partners for the EU. The significance of this agreement goes far beyond trade relations. In today's world, there’s no such thing as too many allies and friends".