The Economical Partnership European Union - Mercosur

AuthorMariana Aida Cimpeanu, Ionel Sergiu Pirju
PositionDanubius University of Galati, Faculty of Economic Sciences - 'Al. I. Cuza' University of Iasi, Doctoral School of Economics
Pages244-249
European Integration - Realities and Perspectives
2010
244
The Economical Partnership European Union – Mercosur
Cîmpeanu Mariana-Aida
1
, Pîrju Ionel Sergiu
2
1
Danubius University of Galati, Faculty of Economic Sciences, aidacimpeanu@univ-danubius.ro
2
“Al. I. Cuza” University of Iasi, Doctoral School of Economics, madolmi@yahoo.com
Abstract: In 1960 the cooperation process between the South America countries was characterized by
national strategies to foster the national industries, safeguarded b y the intense exports from the developed
countries. This strategy was c alled by some authors defensive regionalism, as oposed to open regionalism or
the offensive one, promoted b y CEPAR (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbeans). The
Common Market of the South or Mercosur (in Spanish Mercado Comun del Sur, in Portuguese Mercado
Comun do Sul, M ercosul ), is a commercial bl ock that has as goals: promotion of free exchange of products,
people and capital between the countries members, as well as the development of a better integration and trial
between partners and associates. The first members states were: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay;
Venezuela signed the joining in 17 June 2006. Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru have associate estate.Member
States consider on November 30, 1985 (when they signed the Declaration of Foz Iguazu) the moment of
Mercosur appearance. EU-MERCOSUR relations have a broad tradition based on history, culture, political
affinity, economic interest and strategic considerations. We may say that Latin America is where Europe can
recognize on a large extent their own political and cultural values. This common heritage, but primarily
economic interests led to the need for mutual dialogue between the two organizations. We are now at 1 5 years
after signing the f irst agreement between EU and Mercosur and 8 years after initiating negotiations for
reaching an inter-regional association agreement to establish a free trade ar ea. Negotiations were not linear,
but have had many obstacles, and now, in 2010, it seems t o be increasingly fewer opportunities to achieve
inter-regional agreement. When MS achieves its own identity (not only the legal personality that it was self
assumed through Article 34 of the Protocol of Ouro Preto), it will truly be able to sign an Interregional
agreement with the EU under the new requir ements of an international market which increasingly tends
towards globalization.
Keywords: European Union; Mercosur; dialogue; free trade; perspective; negociation
1492 - The discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus- meant for the native civilizations
the first contact with the values imposed by the old continent, Europe. The Spanish colonization was
impregnated by the constant refusal of the natives to accept the values imposed by the conquerors.
If today the UE is the model for a large number of countries, in the past the economical and spiritual
European values, were strongly rejected by those who saw their own traditions threatened. One of the
last Aztecs kings – Cuahtemoc, when invited to be baptized in order to enter the Christian Kingdom of
Heaven asked what Paradise was. The Spanish royal investigator replied that the Paradise is the place
where priests and Christian scholars and all those who follow European laws get to. Then Cuahtemoc
replied, "Better kill me because I do not want to get into Paradise” (Padre yo no quero ir al Paraiso).
After 500 years, the mentality has changed in Latin America, the successful model U.E. beeing the
basis of all the Andean regional treaties and agreements; Mercosur becoming the most palmy initiative
in the area.

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