Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2007-09-25-Speech-2-248"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20070925.31.2-248"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:translated text |
".
Mr President, it says a great deal that the new bilateral strategic partnership with Brazil has been brought about under the Portuguese Presidency. I value the fact that each Member State is given the space to leave its own mark on the EU policy during its presidency. I would add, however, that Member States should use this elbow room only whilst taking into consideration the continuity of the current EU policy agenda.
It is precisely for this reason that I share the concern that I sense in the issue that we are debating here. For some time now, the European Union has had the objective of entering into an interregional association agreement with Mercosur. This objective is thwarted by the bilateral strategic partnership with Brazil.
Firstly, the other Mercosur countries feel cheated by the European Union. Instead of an interregional agreement, the Union evidently prefers a bilateral agreement. I would therefore like to ask the Commission what initiatives it is taking to dispel these concerns in countries such as Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Trade relations with these countries are just as important for the Union.
A second reason for my concern with regard to Mercosur lies in the stability and political course of this collaboration. Over the past few years it has been clear that Brazil wishes to profile itself more forcefully on a global level as the continent’s natural leader. This manifests itself not only in an assertive role within the WTO, but also for example in the desire to acquire a seat in the Security Council.
As a result, Brazil has less of an interest in its own role on the continent. After all, Mercosur consumes just 10% of Brazil’s export. The country therefore seems less prepared to invest in other Mercosur countries. With its entry into the global arena, Brazil is indicating that it feels it has outgrown its role within the region.
The reverse side to this Brazilian policy is the threat to the stability and political course of Mercosur. Following the withdrawal of Brazil, Venezuela is endeavouring to assume the leading role within Mercosur and therefore within the entire continent. Chávez is attempting to enhance its role within the region with the aid of oil funds and anti-western rhetoric. Venezuela operates a protectionist, internally oriented economic policy, in which major economic sectors are threatened with renationalisation. In the meantime, there is no more room for free trade and the opening up of new markets. I assume that the Council and the Commission are aware of the fact that these developments have consequences for the countries of South America, but certainly also for the economic and trade interests of the Union in this area.
I call upon the Council and Commission to exploit the fact that a bilateral partnership exists with Brazil in order to turn around the trend that I have just described. The Union must urge Brazil to use the new political weight of the bilateral partnership with the EU in order to display new political leadership within Mercosur and on the continent. This must serve to prevent the isolationist policies of countries such as Venezuela and Bolivia from extending further across the continent.
Finally, Mr President, I would like to comment on the content of the partnership. I am of the opinion that the content of the EU partnership with Brazil must not focus solely on topics such as bio-ethanol, but equally upon getting the Doha Round off the ground. After all, the role of Brazil has until now predominantly been the achievement of individual successes in relation to agriculture, whilst the country is not truly prepared to compromise with regard to NAMA and services."@en1
|
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples