Brazil and Portugal seek to speed up Mercosur–EU agreement

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke with Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro on Tuesday (Jan. 13). According to a statement from the Planalto presidential palace, the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the approval of the trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur, which should be signed on January 17 in Paraguay. The new treaty, which took 25 years to negotiate, still needs to undergo ratification by the signatory countries. In his talk with Lula, the prime minister is said to have congratulated the Brazilian president on his efforts to conclude the deal. The two also discussed the need for the new rules to come into force as soon as possible. Notícias relacionadas: Lula hails Mercosur–EU deal as victory stemming from dialogue. Brazil advocates integration of security data with Mercosur. Brazil unveils Mercosur Football Tourist Route. “Both agreed that the decision of the two blocs is a major gesture in defense of multilateralism and free