BUENOS AIRES (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 17th January, 2019) Argentina and Brazil intend to increase the efficiency of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), so that it more closely meets the challenges of the 21st century, the presidents of the two countries said on Wednesday after their talks.
"We talked about the need to modernize Mercosur, further integration within the union, so that it more closely meets the challenges of the 21st century," Argentine President Mauricio Macri said after a meeting with his Brazilian counterpart Jair Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro added that it was necessary to further remove trade barriers.
The presidents advocated the early conclusion of a trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union. It was planned to sign it during the G20 summit in 2018, but these intentions were not implemented.
Macri evaluated the negotiations with the Brazilian counterpart as very productive.
Brazil is Argentina's strategic and largest partner, the president said, and the countries are developing relations in trade, industry, science and other sectors.
The parties also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of security, fight against drug trafficking and criminal money laundering.
