 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 by Staff Writers Berlin (AFP) Sept 21, 2020
German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier on Monday said he still believes ratification of an EU trade deal with South America is possible, despite European anger over deforestation in Brazil. Even without reopening the text of the agreement, "there are some issues that we have to clarify, that we can clarify", Altmaier said, after a meeting of EU trade ministers in Berlin. A "sustainable solution" can be found, he said, urging his EU partners to not be divided on the hot-button issue. The pact between the European Union and the South American Mercosur free trade bloc -- Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay -- was agreed in principle last year after two decades of wrangling. France has to set out demands for ratification to proceed, which would crucially include respecting the targets of the Paris Agreement on fighting climate change. The EU's new trade boss Valdis Dombrovskis said it was "clear that we need to take those issues seriously". French President Emmanuel Macron has been a leading critic of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a climate change sceptic who scrapped restrictions on exploiting the Amazon's vast riches. Industrial powerhouse Germany meanwhile has backed the deal hoping to open new markets, especially for its auto companies. Brussels, which handles trade matters for the EU's 27 member states, "is seeking clear engagement" from the South Americans on sustainability concerns. Environmental activists have slammed the deal for its lifting of trade barriers to Brazilian beef, which they argue will lead to increased deforestation. Cattle farming is responsible for 80 percent of Amazon deforestation, according to the WWF environmental group. arp/dc/bp
India to loan virus-hit Maldives $250m Male, Maldives (AFP) Sept 20, 2020 India on Sunday announced a $250 million loan to the Maldives to boost its coronavirus-battered economy in a further bid to counter China's growing financial footprint in South Asia. The Indian Ocean archipelago, renowned for its luxury resorts, has been badly hit by the pandemic, with foreign tourists failing to flock back in large numbers after international flights restarted in mid-July. India's High Commission in the Maldives said the loan was being provided after a request by Maldives Presi ... read more
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
Google
