Mercosur 'ready' to sign preferential accord with Morocco

The common market of the South (Mercosur) is "ready" to sign a preferential accord with Morocco, in the prospect of reaching a free trade agreement, reported Monday the Brazilian press agency "ANBA."

"We are ready to sign an accord establishing fixed preferences in the prospect of signing a Free trade accord, said Director of International Negotiations at the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, Régis Arslanian, at a meeting with entrepreneurs representing different sectors.

"ANBA" recalled that representatives of the four countries of Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) agreed during the summit of Puerto Iguazu (northern Argentina) last July to kick off discussions for a framework agreement with Morocco.

The Brazilian diplomacy, the same source said, aspires to sign a free trade agreement with Morocco before the Arab-south American heads of state summit scheduled next May 10-11 in Brazil.

Last July 8, Mercosur signed a framework accord with Egypt.

Brazil is currently president of the rotating chairmanship of this south American economic grouping.