Tusk about the EU-Mercosur agreement: We will cooperate with France on defense mechanisms

Poland will cooperate with France on the introduction of effective defense mechanisms into the EU agreement with Mercosuru countries – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who talked about the contract with the President of France Emmanuel Macron on the margins of the Thursday meeting of the “Coalition of Volunteers” in Paris.

The head of the Council of Ministers emphasized that Poland has an unambiguous position regarding the EU agreement with Mercosur. “We'll be against,” he declared.

“There are many indications that others will not join this blocking,” said Tusk. He added that President Macron told him that Poland and France would “certainly” cooperate to introduce effective defense mechanisms. “We're close to the final,” he added.

The Prime Minister explained that these mechanisms would allow, for example, that in a situation where it will go to Europe from South America too much cheap beef, the EU will be able to impose duties or suspend such imports.

Tusk told journalists that he also talked to Macron about climatic issues. The prime minister declared that Poland will not agree that the case regarding the EC proposed in July this year. a new climate destination, which assumes CO2 reduction by 90 percent. compared to 1990 to 2040it could be voted by a qualified majority. – We want it to be on the European Council, that it requires a uniform position, then Poland's voice will matter. If necessary – also blocking solutions that are not favorable for us – said the head of the Council of Ministers.

On Wednesday, the College of EU Commissioners adopted a trade agreement with Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). At the same time, a safety brake was announced in the event of a surplus of products and the possibility of compensation for farmers.

France and Poland are against signing the agreement with Mercosur, because they are afraid of opening the European market to food from South America, where standards are much lower than those that farmers must follow in the EU. On Tuesday, during a press conference, after the government meeting, his spokesman Adam Szłapka emphasized that the agreement with Mercosur does not only apply to agriculture, but it is this issue that is particularly important for Poland and it is because of him that it is against the conclusion of the agreement.

The EC, which forces the adoption of a contract with South American countries, emphasizes that Mercosur is the only significant trade partner in Latin America, with which the EU did not have a preferential trade agreement. Meanwhile, the Union is the second largest partner of this block of states after China, ahead of the United States. (PAP).

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