From Russian belongings to Mercosur, this is what will probably be mentioned on the European Council | EUROtoday

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One of the subjects that will probably be mentioned between the periods of European Council of 18 and 19 December it is easy to know. Since yesterday night, farmers have been marching on tractors to protest in entrance of the European Parliament constructing in Strasbourg. The arrival level, the place lots of of automobiles are anticipated, is Brussels, the place the leaders of the EU members may also meet to take a choice on the free commerce settlement with the Mercosurthe Southern Common Market, a South American buying and selling bloc established in 1991 which incorporates Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Positions on Mercosur

A pact strongly desired by some international locations, comparable to Germania, which he believes is “a milestone in the EU’s commercial partnership” and is a crucial step “for the EU’s capacity to act”.

These have been the phrases of Stefan Kornelius, spokesman for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who now has a task as mediator, attempting to “convince partners” comparable to France and Italy. Emmanuel Macron, actually, he’s “strongly against it”: in the meanwhile, defined spokeswoman Maud Bregeon, “there is not yet sufficient clarity on the three conditions” imposed by France, particularly “reciprocity, safeguard clause and controls” for Mercosur producers.

For Italy, nevertheless, the place was outlined by the prime minister Giorgia Meloni, in line with which it’s “premature” to signal the settlement. The crux stays the safeguard bundle, to be accepted earlier than continuing with the industrial settlement. If it takes “more weeks, we will take them”, defined the prime minister, within the hope – additionally shared by the overseas and agriculture ministers Antonio Tajani and Francesco Lollobrigida – that favorable circumstances will mature at the start of 2026.

On the opposite facet of the world, nevertheless, the Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is pushing for the signature to reach on Saturday 20 December on the summit scheduled in Foz do Iguaçu. Otherwise, there will probably be no additional negotiations relating to the matter. “I have already warned that if it is not done now, Brazil will no longer enter into agreements (with the EU) as long as I am president,” Lula clarified.