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9340/1/06 REV1 (Presse 142)
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COUNCIL OF
THE EUROPEAN UNION
EN
Brussels, 13 May 2006
9340/1/06 REV1 (Presse 142)
EU
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-MERCOSUR MINISTERIAL MEETING
Vienna, Austria, 13 May 2006
Joint Communiqué
On the occasion of the Fourth Summit between the European Union, Latin America and
the Caribbean, held in Vienna, the EU, represented by the Austrian State Secretary Mr
Hans Winkler representing the EU-Presidency, the Commissioner Mrs. Benita Ferrero-
Waldner representing the European Commission and the incoming Finnish Presidency,
represented by the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development and Minister at the Prime
Minister's Office, Mrs. Paula Lehtomäki held a working session with the Ministers for
Foreign Affairs of Argentina, Mr. Jorge Taiana; Brazil, Mr. Celso Amorim; Paraguay, Mrs.
Leila Rachid, and Uruguay, Mr. Reinaldo Gargano, representing the member countries of
the Mercosur, and Mr Carlos Alvarez, President of the Committee of Permanent
Representatives of Mercosur.
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The EU-side being represented at the troika-level
9340/1/06 REV1 (Presse 142)
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The EU and Mercosur discussed the situation in both regions. The Mercosur
countries informed their EU counterparts of the most recent advances aimed at
strengthening their process of regional integration which is considered the
cornerstone of economic and social development for their population, as well as a
fundamental instrument for the consolidation of democracy and political stability
in the region. Various decisions aimed at the improvement of free circulation of
goods and persons within Mercosur, as well as to the reinforcement of its
institutional framework, were specifically emphasized.
The EU commented on the ke