During the World Economic Forum (WEF), Swiss Federal Councilor Johann Schneider-Ammann, acting as a representative of the EFTA states, signed a joint declaration that marks the beginning of negotiations between the Mercosur states and the EFTA.
The Mercosur association consists of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay (Venezuela is currently suspended) and can open up a market of approximately 250 million people to Swiss companies (not including Venezuela).
Change in mentality makes progress possible
The Argentinian government under Kirchner and the Brazilian government under Roussef had been opposed to a free trade agreement. With the changes of government in these two countries, the ground is now laid for negotiations to be reopened.
Country consultation on South America
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