EIRP Proceedings, Vol 5 (2010)

Abstract

In 1960 the cooperation process between the South America countries was characterized by national strategies to foster the national industries, safeguarded by the intense exports from the developed countries. This strategy was called by some authors defensive regionalism, as oposed to open regionalism or the offensive one, promoted by CEPAR (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbeans). The Common Market of the South or Mercosur (in Spanish Mercado Comun del Sur, in Portuguese Mercado Comun do Sul, Mercosul ), is a commercial block that has as goals: promotion of free exchange of products, people and capital between the countries members, as well as the development of a better integration and trial between partners and associates. The first members states were: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay; Venezuela signed the joining in 17 June 2006. Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru have associate estate.Member States consider on November 30,
1985 (when they signed the Declaration of Foz Iguazu) the moment of Mercosur appearance. EUMERCOSUR relations have a broad tradition based on history, culture, political affinity, economic interest and strategic considerations. We may say that Latin America is where Europe can recognize on a large extent their own political and cultural values. This common heritage, but primarily economic interests led to the need for mutual dialogue between the two organizations. We are now at 15 years after signing the first agreement between EU and Mercosur and 8 years after initiating negotiations for reaching an inter-regional association agreement to establish a free trade area. Negotiations were not linear, but have had many obstacles, and now, in 2010, it seems to be increasingly fewer opportunities to achieve inter-regional agreement. When MS achieves its own identity (not only the legal personality that it was self assumed through Article 34 of the Protocol of Ouro Preto), it will truly be able to sign an Interregional agreement with the EU under the new requirements of an international market which increasingly tends towards globalization.