Haddad wants a “clearer” conversation with France on the Mercosur-European Union agreement

The Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad, said this Thursday (22) that a “clearer conversation” with the government of France about the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur is necessary, after the French National Assembly rejected this pact.

“We can have a clearer conversation about the real possibilities of France approving the agreement, despite the recent setback. Taking into account that Lula also has remarks on the agreement,” the minister told journalists.

Among Brazil’s objections, the environmental commitments demanded by the European bloc to Mercosur stand out.

“When an additional document (on environmental requirements) is made, the impression is that it is a way of delaying the agreement, because we have reaffirmed the environmental commitments”, he argued.

For the minister, Brazil “has the conditions to take a step forward in environmental issues”, as the country has great potential for green hydrogen, hydraulic, wind and solar energy.

Haddad classified as important the free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, which is blocked by the refusal of several European countries to ratify it for environmental and protectionist reasons.

The pact will be one of the topics addressed at the 3rd EU-Celac Summit, which will take place on the 27th and 18th of July, in Brussels, Belgium.