The presence of Spain's top diplomat is linked, among other issues, to Mercosur's trade deal with the European Union.
Paraguay's President Mario Abdo Benítez Friday welcomed Spain's Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya at the presidential residence of Mburuvicha Roga in Asunción. The presence of Spain's top diplomat is linked, among other issues, to Mercosur's trade deal with the European Union.
González Laya is to participate in Saturday's VII Meeting of the Paraguay-Spain Bilateral Political Consultation and Coordination Mechanism, where the ratification of the Trade Agreement between Mercosur and the European Union will be discussed.
The Accord, which was signed after some 20 years of negotiations is now stalled pending ratification from each European Union member, some of whom, such as France, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium, have already expressed their opposition to it unless reassurances are given regarding environmental concerns such as the protection of the Amazon and the observance of European agri-food and phytosanitary regulations in addition to the fight against climate change.