Brazil will be chairing Mercosur during the second semester of the year following the presidential summit held in Buenos Aires July 1st. , when Argentina officially ended its tenure, six months that were dedicated to eliminate scepticism and rebuild trust among the members of the world's third most important trade block.
With these simple words Chilean president Ricardo Lagos described his country's tempo for becoming a full member of Mercosur.
Argentine agriculture transferred overall 3,6 billion US dollars to the rest of the economy, mainly industry, --automobiles, textiles and petroleum refining-- exposed to fierce international competition.
Mexico and three Central American countries formalised this week the North Triangle free trade agreement, the result of eight years of negotiations and a step closer to creating a common market that will extend from Mexico to Panama.
Javier Solana, the European Union Foreign Affairs representative will participate this week in the Buenos Aires Mercosur presidential summit when Argentina will be symbolically handing the revolving six months chair to Brazil.