Cataluña-Southern Cone Economic Forum Explores EU-Mercosur Deal Opportunities

Cataluña's delegation to the Southern Cone hosted an economic forum in Buenos Aires, focusing on the opportunities arising from the free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union. The event brought together institutions, governments, and businesses to discuss the accord's potential.

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The bridge between Cataluña and the Southern Cone is already built; now we must cross it, and that will require effort from all of us here today.

Josep Vives i Portell, Cataluña's delegate for the Southern Cone, emphasized the need to actively pursue the benefits of the agreement, stating, "The bridge between Cataluña and the Southern Cone is already built; now we must cross it, and that will require effort from all of us here today." Marcelo Elizondo, president of the Argentine chapter of the International Chamber of Commerce, noted that the deal, finalized after 25 years of negotiations, "opens a new opportunity for exchange" between the two blocs.

The agreement, provisionally in effect since May 1, is awaiting full ratification by the European Parliament. The European Union's ambassador to Argentina, Erik Hoeg, highlighted that the accord creates "the largest free trade area to date" globally, uniting regions with shared democratic values. He pointed out that the provisional implementation has already led to a gradual reduction in tariffs, with the agreement encompassing 700 million people and representing 35% of world trade.

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opens a new opportunity for exchange

Spain's ambassador to Argentina, Joaquín María de Arístegui Laborde, underscored the agreement's significance for opportunities, while Tomás Villalba, Argentina's Undersecretary for Export Promotion and Investment, noted that Spain is a major investor in Argentina, with Cataluña accounting for 22% of Argentina's trade with Spain.

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the largest free trade area to date