RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Brazil would leave the educational area of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) due to its lack of concrete results, the country's Education Minister Abraham Weintraub announced on Friday.
"After 28 years of taking part in the educational area of Mercosur, the government's decision is to discuss only bilateral relations," Weintraub said.
The decision would take effect immediately, the minister said, adding that it would have no immediate impact on Brazilian students studying in other Mercosur countries to obtain diplomas.
"All ongoing partnerships will continue and students' scholarships will also be maintained," the minister said.
Brazil's departure from the educational area did not mean that the country is leaving the entire bloc, Weintraub added.
Mercosur is a South American trade bloc that gathers Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
