After being received by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, Argentine Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra stated today in Brussels that the first offers that MERCOSUR and the European Union (EU) will exchange in the context of a negotiation for an agreement "will not be satisfactory for either party," and she added: "but that is where serious discussions will begin."
At a press conference with Mogherini, Minister Malcorra remarked: "The only way to reach an agreement is to start discussing it. We will never get close unless we lay our offers on the table. Nobody takes it all in a give-and-take game; that would not be a negotiation, and we need to negotiate. We must lay our cards on the table and see what works for each side."
The Foreign Minister added: "It is essential, it is an aspiration and a necessity for the EU and MERCOSUR to be capable of working together in a world where integration is established by means of agreements between blocs." Argentina’s top diplomat further noted that a potential agreement "is an opportunity to enhance our trade and investment relations, although we know an agreement will not be reached overnight. But the only way to finish is to start."
Minister Malcorra met with her Belgian counterpart, Didier Reynders, at Palais d'Egmont, the seat of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Later, together with the Mayor of Brussels, Yvan Mayeur, Minister Malcorra laid a wreath at La Bourse, the old Brussels Stock Exchange, where people laid floral tributes to commemorate the tragic attacks perpetrated 20 days ago.
Before returning from Brussels Airport—one of the targets of the terrorist attacks on 23 March—, Minister Malcorra explained: "Argentina has to fulfil its role in and become integrated with the world, and it also has to appreciate many of the things that we have and sometimes overlook—such as the fact that ours is a region of peace."
Press release No. 102/16.
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