EU-Mercosur: European Commission adopts EUR 200 million assistance package, sending signal of confidence and commitment to Mercosur

On the 02 August 2002, the European Commission adopted new co-operation strategies for the Mercosur countries - Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay - on 2 August 2002, with indicative funding totalling up to € 200 million for the period 2002-2006.

Priorities for EC support programmes would be support for regional integration, economic reform and promotion of trade capacities, social development and poverty alleviation, modernization of the state, and protection of the environment. These major support programmes, embedded in new Country Strategy Papers, are endowed with € 65.7 million for Argentina, close to € 64 million for Brazil, up to € 51.7 million for Paraguay and € 18.6 million for Uruguay.

This reaffirmation of EU support for the Mercosur process came at a crucial time for the region. All Mercosur countries, including Uruguay and Paraguay, were affected by the repercussions of the Argentinean crisis and are going through difficult times.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Trade: Policy: Countries and regions: Mercosur http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/regions/mercosur/

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