Spain's PM says EU and Mercosur could reach accord for trade deal this year

SAO PAULO: Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy said an accord for a trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union could be reached this year.

Speaking at an event in Sao Paulo, Rajoy said an agreement is "closer than ever." Brazilian Foreign Relations minister Aloysio Nunes Ferreira said Mercosur should bring down internal trade barriers to ease a possible trade agreement with the EU.