A new edition of the Dialogue between MERCOSUR and CER (Closer Economic Relations), comprised of Australia and New Zealand, was held on 4 May.
The meeting was presided over by the Undersecretary for Economic Integration with the Americas and MERCOSUR, Ambassador Daniel Raimondi, exercising the Presidency Pro Tempore of MERCOSUR. The CER delegations were headed by Frances Lisson, Australia's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, and Martin Harvey, Chief Negotiator of the Economic and Trade Group of the New Zealand Foreign Ministry.
Participants underscored the importance of the meeting, which resumed contacts between two trade blocs that had not met since 2012.
As regards MERCOSUR, it was noted that the foreign affairs policy had gained new impetus as a result of ongoing negotiations with the European Union and upcoming negotiations with EFTA, among other integration fronts recently developed or strengthened. In that context, the considerable focus placed on Australia and New Zealand was highlighted.
The delegations reviewed the priorities of both sides within the Multilateral Trading System, a context in which MERCOSUR and CER share positions in the Cairns Group.
In addition, experiences were shared as regards ongoing trade negotiations and the parameters followed by both sides in those processes in terms of trade in goods and services, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, trade defence mechanisms and rules of origin, among other issues.
The delegations agreed to continue discussions to achieve substantial progress as regards their investment, trade and economic relations, as adequate tools for promoting the growth and welfare of societies from both MERCOSUR and CER.
In 2016, MERCOSUR's exports to CER reached USD 1.133 billion and its imports totalled USD 1.086 billion.
Press release No. 160/17
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