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A number of representatives of the Amazon region social movements at the III Meeting with Mercosur have expressed concern over the relationship between Mercosur and the Free Trade Area of the Americas.
The meeting took place in Belém, the capital of the northern state of Pará, last week.
For example, Guilherme Carvalho, of the Federation of Agencies for Social Assistance and Education (Fase), declared that he was worried about the United States smothering trade agreements set up by Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
However, the coordinator for integration at the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, declared that Mercosur agreements will remain in effect even with the FTAA in place.
The coordinator basically repeated the position taken by Luiz Dulci, the presidential secretary general, who said that "the relationship with the US must be balanced."
The coordinator added that any commercial benefits conceded to the US could not exceed those given to Mercosur partners.
"What that means is that Mercosur ties are deep and cannot be shunted aside by other agreements with any other countries," she said.
ABr - www.radiobras.gov.br
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