German ministers head to Latin America to bolster free trade agreement

By Zehra Nur Duz

ANKARA (AA) - The German economy minister said he expects to promote a free trade deal between the EU and the South American confederation Mercosur during his official visit to Brazil, according to local media.

“Now, with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in power, there are hopes that an agreement can be reached on the stalled agreement,” the German news agency DPA quoted Robert Habeck as saying late Saturday.

"It is actually finally negotiated but still has questions from both sides," Habeck said before departing for the Latin American country with Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir.

The two ministers will visit the region to pursue the deal that the EU has long been negotiating with the countries in Mercosur, including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, DPA said.

Habeck said the agreement would be “an opportunity for South America as well as for Europe and for Germany” if its sustainability is ensured.

"Part of the trip will be to find out if that is possible with Brazil and with the other countries in the Mercosur agreement," he said.