A spokesperson for the AELE confirmed this information from the Reuters agency in Keystone-ATS. The Minister of the Economy Guy Parmelin is currently in Buenos Aires in Argentina, said his department.
A signature is expected by the end of the year. Negotiations between this free trade area in Latin America and Aele, which includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, have been lasting for years. The agreement should save up to 180 million francs a year.
However, such a partnership is not unanimous, especially in agricultural circles. The EU, which signed an agreement in December with Mercosur, faces the honey of France in particular, blocking a ratification of the text within the European block.
Farmers take note
Contacted, the Swiss Union of Peasants says it takes note of the conclusion of the agreement between Bern and Mercosur. “We will carefully analyze the result in order to assess the opportunities and risks for Swiss agriculture,” said his spokesperson Sandra Helfenstein.
The challenge is to know which concessions have been made for sensitive agricultural products such as beef, milk or wine, she says. In which case support measures will be necessary to compensate for “competitiveness losses”.
The “ready” worms for the referendum
The Greens indicate for their part to fear that the protection of the tropical forest and the rights of local populations “will be definitively sacrificed on the altar of a frantic agricultural free trade”. They already say they are “ready” for the referendum.
The uarmness of the Swissmem industry salutes it a “new stage for the external commercial policy of Switzerland”. It sees an opportunity to lighten the burden of customs duties weighing on the country.
Once signed by all parties, the agreement will have to go through the Parliament and a possible popular vote in the event of a referendum. National Councilor Jean-Luc Addor (UDC/VS), member of the parliamentary friendship group with Latin America, said in February expect harsh debates.
