On Friday the 29th of July the first public event on
the MERCOSUR-EU negotiations took place in the University of Buenos Aires,
Argentina. Organized by the research institute CEIDIE, speakers included public
officials from several ministries, academics such as Carlos Correa, Sandra
Negro and Xavier Seuba, as well as representatives from the civil society (ABIA
and HAI Europe).
Speakers discussed the background and the current state of the negotiations, as
well as the prospective goals envisaged by the parties. Particular attention
was devoted to agriculture and intellectual property. The event discussed
the significant differences in approach and the difficulties to be overcome,
with a view put on the public interest and development concerns.
Civil society presented its concerns with regards to public health and access
to medicines and the possible role of the European Parliament in the negotiations.
With respect to intellectual property, fundamental differences between the
parties were raised. Dr. Correa put the agreement in the context of the
ever-increasing level of demands, while X. Seuba pointed out that in fact
parties where not negotiating an IP chapter, but exchanging views on the role
of intellectual property on economy and society.
The next round of negotiations will take place in November in Uruguay.
For the program of the meeting see here: http://haieurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/folleto-26-de-julio.pdf
