Flemish minister president regrets division over Mercosur trade deal

Flemish minister president Matthias Diependaele expressed regret on Wednesday that the government had failed to reach a unified position on the European free trade agreement with the South American Mercosur countries. He also argued that opposition to the agreement was partly "based on wrong information".

Belgium will have to abstain in the European vote on Mercosur, a free trade agreement with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay that would create the world's largest free trade area. The country's governments did not manage to find common ground on the issue, including the government of Flanders.

Speaking in the Flemish Parliament on Wednesday, Diependaele said he was disappointed by the lack of a common stance, as he personally is in favour of Mercosur. Although he and his party, N-VA, support the deal, coalition partner CD&V opposes it.

CD&V shares the concerns of the agricultural sector, warning of an influx of cheaper agricultural products and unfair competition from South American producers due to stricter European and national standards on animal welfare and the environment.

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Diependaele dismissed those concerns as unfounded. According to him, opposition to Mercosur in other European countries such as France, Italy and Poland is driven mainly by protectionist instincts. "Name me one trade agreement that has been economically detrimental," he asked Parliament.

"You have allowed yourself to be held hostage by coalition partner CD&V"

He received strong criticism from the opposition. Open VLD MP Eva De Bleeker said it was "incomprehensible" and even "cowardly" that the Flemish government was unable to reach a position. "Hearing you speak, you should have voted in favour. But you have allowed yourself to be held hostage by coalition partner CD&V".

Belgium as a whole has been unable to agree on a position. The Walloon government opposes the agreement, while the federal government also failed to find a consensus.

^{#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM}

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