EU-Mercosur talks

European trade commissioner Karel De Gutch and Uruguayan agriculture and livestock minister Tabare Aguerre have arranged a meeting in Brussels next week between the EU and Mercosur, the free-trade representative of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Negotiations over a trade agreement are still at the 'elaboration of proposals' stage and, amid financial unrest in Europe and other political events, no important breakthrough is expected.

The latest round of talks that began in May 2010 will start again on Monday 11 July and run until Friday 15 July.

Uruguay holds Mercosur's rotating chair.