On Wednesday (14th), the Committee on Economic Development, Industry and Commerce approved the Legislative Decree Bill No. 1665/09, of the Committee on Foreign Relations that approves the texts of the Trade Framework Agreement between Mercosur and Israel, executed in December 2007.

The Free Trade Agreement provides market openings for goods, with a future development clause concerning the possibility of future understanding on markets’ access in terms of services and investments. Besides, it provides the complete liberalization of more than 90% of the trade between the two regions within 10 years.

Expanded market
According to the rapporteur, Deputy Edson Ezequiel (PMDB-RJ), the agreements consist on an essential economical, commercial and diplomatic advance for Mercosur. He explains that despite the great success of the economic block, in terms of volume increase of trade in the last years, it is important from the economical point of view that its great potential in manufacturing and exporting be more used to increase its relative participation in the international trade.

Occupied areas
The rapporteur of the agreements between Brazil and Israel in the Committee on Foreign Relations, Deputy PhD. Rosinha (PT-PR), emphasized that the inclusion of an interpretative clause in the Free Trade Agreement was necessary, so that manufactured in settlement areas, that is, occupied by Israel, in spite of being part from Palestinian State, were not commercialized as being from Israel.

The Deputy explained that, in terms of History, Brazil defends the respect of the right to exist of Palestine and coexistence between Palestinians and Jews. Such interpretative clause establishes that the agreement will not cover goods which the origin certificates indicate as the origin places under Israel responsibilities, from 1967, when the limits between the two regions were established.

In process
The urgent proposal is pending under emergency regime and in August, was approved by the Committee on the Constitution and Justice and Citizenship, and in September, by the Committee on Foreign Relations and National Defence. Today, will be forwarded for The Floor voting.

Reporting – Vania Alves
Edition – Newton Araújo/RX
Translation - Grupo Solucion-SP Language/Maria Carolina Ogata