Austria reiterated its opposition to the EU-Mercosur agreement: “The impact on the climate crisis is a decisive factor”

The Austrian government reiterated its opposition to the agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur countries and asked Portugal, who holds the rotating presidency of the EU, which avoid “any maneuver” to facilitate the vote on the text.

“I ask you to ensure that the vote on the EU-Mercosur trade agreement can take place in a transparent manner, without political maneuvering and with the full attention of the public”, writes the leader of the environmental party and deputy head of government, Werner Kogler, in a letter addressed to the Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa.

Too denounces “possible attempts” to move forward, despite the reluctance of several Member States, for example add a protocol to the treaty or split the agreement to facilitate the approval of the commercial part.

“This is unacceptable”, the Vice-Chancellor insisted in the letter that the AFP could consult on Sunday. “In our opinion, the impact of this agreement on the climate crisis is a decisive factor.”

The Austrian Parliament unanimously rejected the text in its current form, which was signed in mid-2019 between the EU and the four Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay) after 20 years of negotiations.

The agreement raises criticism from farmers, concerned about their meat production, and NGOs, concerned about the environment.

Also Eurocamara and countries like France, Belgium, Netherlands consider the trade agreement it does not contain enough clauses to protect the environment and prevent deforestation in Brazil.

In August 2019, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, he said that opposed “the Mercosur agreement as it is”. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also expressed “Serious doubts.”

However, no later than last week, the Vice-President of the European Commission (EC) and Head of Trade, Valdis DombrovskisHe said the European Union (EU) remains committed to working towards the ratification of the trade deal with Mercosur, but seeks further environmental improvements from its countries.

“We will continue with these commitments to ensure that we can move forward towards the successful ratification of the agreement,” commented, adding that the decisions on “The exact form of ratification” they are taken “on a case-by-case basis after a legal review of the document”.

(With information from AFP and EFE)

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