The Council of the European Union has adopted on Friday two decisions via written procedure authorizing the signature of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and the Interim Trade Agreement (iTA) between the EU and Mercosur countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Michael Damianos, Cyprus’ Minister for Energy, Commerce, and Industry, stated that after more than 25 years, today’s decision represents a historic step towards strengthening the EU’s strategic partnership with Mercosur.