The Free Trade Agreement between Mercosur and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)block formed by Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein, will be signed on September 16, in Rio de Janeiro. 
The announcement was made, by note, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE). The agreement will be signed during the meeting of Mercosur chancelers, which will be chaired by the minister, ambassador Mauro Vieira. Brazil is in the temporary presidency of the bloc.
“For Brazil, the consolidation of the Customs Union, the diversification of Mercosur’s economic-common partnerships and the modernization and deepening of current regional agreements are essential objectives, amid the unstable and complex international scenario. The Brazilian presidency will also emphasize the importance of supporting Bolivia’s full adherence process to the block,” says the statement.
Negotiations for the deal began in June 2017 in Buenos Aires. In total, there were 14 rounds of negotiations until the Conclusion in July this year.
Created in 1960, EFTA is an intergovernmental organization that brings together a population of 15 million, and has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) added to $ 1.4 trillion. In terms of GDP per capitaLiechtenstein is considered the second richest country in the world, with an average annual income of $ 186,000 per person. Switzerland is the richest fourth, per capita ($ 104,500). Iceland and Norway also appear in the early positions of countries with the highest average income.
