EFTA and MERCOSUR discuss closer trade relations

Mr Sveinung Røren and Ambassador Álvaro Ons.

A Joint Declaration on Cooperation between the four EFTA States and MERCOSUR (comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) was signed in 2000. The Committee has convened on two previous occasions.

Delegations reviewed recent economic developments and in particular their bilateral trade and investment relations. They concurred that the possibilities of enhancing economic exchanges and cooperation should be examined through further dialogue and meetings.

The EFTA delegation was headed by Mr Sveinung Røren, Deputy Director General in the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Norway, while Ambassador Álvaro Ons, Director General for Integration and MERCOSUR in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, led the MERCOSUR side.

Merchandise trade between the EFTA States and MERCOSUR reached USD 6.2 billion in 2010. EFTA's top exports include pharmaceutical products, machinery and organic chemicals. EFTA mainly imports inorganic chemicals, aluminum and miscellaneous food from MERCOSUR.