The government approved the signing of the Mercosur Agreement, although the Minister of Agriculture did not agree
The government approved on Tuesday, by memorandum, the signing by Romania of the EU-Mercosur partnership agreement (EMPA) between the European Union and its member states, on the one hand, and the Common Market of the South, the Republic of Argentina, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Republic of Paraguay and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, on the other.
The announcement was made by Ioana Dogioiu, the spokesperson of the Government, in a press conference at the Victoria Palace.
She specified that “the memorandum provides for the approval of the signing by Romania, on behalf of the country, of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA), in the context in which that Agreement was opened for signature by the member states, with the possibility of initialing on March 25, 2026 and April 1, 2026 respectively.”
Asked by journalists about the position of the Ministry of Agriculture, led by Florin Barbu (PSD), the Government spokeswoman confirmed that this Ministry gave a negative opinion for this memorandum.
“The opinion of the Ministry of Agriculture was negative. The opinion of the Ministry of Justice was positive, with observations. Minister Barbu participated, but did not take the floor in the Government meeting”, stated Dogioiu.
The EU-Mercosur agreement will apply provisionally from May 1, 2026
The government later announced that this signing step by the EU member states is complementary to similar steps by the EU to sign the Partnership Agreement – EMPA, as well as the Interim Trade Agreement – iTA, a process that has already been completed.
Following the completion of the procedural steps of signing and notification of ratification by at least one Mercosur state, the EU-Mercosur Agreement (on both components – EMPA and iTA) will apply provisionally from May 1, 2026.
The decision to sign by Romania comes in continuity with the position already expressed at the level of the EU Council of approving the decisions of signing by COM, on behalf of the EU, and of provisional application of the Agreement.
Once signed, the EMPA Agreement will go through national ratification procedures in the EU member states, with the MAE preparing, together with MEDAT, the draft of the Ratification Law which will be subject to approval by the Romanian Parliament.
The agreement will protect approximately 350 EU geographical indications on the Mercosur market, including 15 Romanian agricultural products with a geographical indication.
The agreement generates new opportunities for EU-Merconsur cooperation and dialogue on topics of interest to Romania, especially in the economic and cultural fields, addressing climate challenges and integrity in the private and public sector.
The EU-Mercosur agreement was signed by the European Commission and representatives of the Mercosur bloc (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay) on January 17, 2026, in Asunción, Paraguay.
