RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday said that the South American trade bloc Mercosur should implement the agreements it has negotiated as soon as possible.
The Mercosur common market reached a trade deal with the European Union in June after 20-year talks, but the agreement still needs to be ratified by legislative bodies of the two sides.
The group, consisting of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, has also concluded a free trade accord with the European Free Trade Association, which gathers Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Speaking at the 55th summit of its leaders, Bolsonaro urged the Mercosur common market to lower its common external tariff and push for reforms.
"It is necessary to carry on the reforms which are giving vitality to Mercosur, without accepting ideological regressions," he said.
Earlier in the day, Bolsonaro met with Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez on an automotive trade deal between the two countries, which may boost Brazil's vehicle exports to the neighboring nation.
Several agreements were signed at the summit, including deals to facilitate financial protocols, police cooperation and the transport of potentially dangerous products in border areas.
