Malta Will Not Rush To Threaten South America Trade Deal After Amazon Wildfires
Malta has decided against openly threatening to vote against a proposed trade deal between the EU and South American nations in light of the situation regarding the Amazon wildfires.
“Trade negotiations are led by the Commission on behalf of the EU and all Member States have to validate deals in accordance with their Constitutional procedures,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of European Affairs and Equality told Lovin Malta. “This process is underway and Malta is following developments.”
“Internally, we are monitoring all developments. We are also having discussions with our European counterparts to ensure we are aligned for the way forward.”
The trade deal between the EU and Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay) was agreed in principle this year following 20 years of negotiations. However, it is under threat in the wake of wildfires in the Amazon rainforest, which many have blamed on the Brazilian government’s forest clearance policies.
Germany, France and Ireland have all threatened to vote against the trade deal unless it includes clear guarantees to safeguard the world’s largest majority.
The deal will ultimately need to be approved by a qualified majority at the European Council, which means it will require the support of at least 55% of member states, representing at least 65% of the EU population.
In Malta, new environmental movement Extinction Rebellion Malta and Partit Demokratiku has urged the government to threaten to vote against the deal.
Questions sent to the Nationalist Party two days ago remain unanswered.
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