Cuba Mercosur start trade talks

Cuba, Mercosur start trade talks

Cuba and the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) countries have kicked
off talks here for a trade agreement, the Argentine Foreign Ministry
said in a statement Thursday.

The two sides started their consultation on Tuesday, discussing a
variety of issues including tariffs, security, trade regimes and
regulations as well as norms and technical procedures for animal hygiene.

"These talks will lead to a qualitative jump in the trade relationship
with Cuba. We plan to create benefits for all concerned," said Argentine
Economic Integration Minister Eduardo Sigal, whose country currently
holds the rotating Mercosur presidency.

Sigal presided over the talks jointly with Cuban Foreign Trade Minister
Podro Pablo San Jorge.

Mercosur, a trade block grouping Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and
Uruguay, is Cuba's main trading partner. The volume of Cuba's trade with
Mercosur reaches 500 million U.S. dollars each year, accounting for 80
percent of its foreign trade.

Source: Xinhua

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