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94<br />
The MEBF successfully works as a lobby and pressure group 272 :<br />
[The MEBF] “wants to use its mechanisms to give direct input into these political<br />
negotiations and thereby help to shape the face of a future trade area.” 273<br />
Already in 1999 the MEBF boasted of its influence on political decision makers:<br />
“The political perception of the business-driven initiative and its inaugural Conference<br />
was impressive.” 274<br />
The MEBF considered its own lobbying as an essential catalyst in the establishment<br />
of the free trade negotiations between the EU and MERCOSUR: MEBF<br />
“launched a campaign to get European governments to grant the European<br />
Commission a mandate for free trade negotiations with MERCOSUR. “Finally<br />
the MEBF lobbying succeeded and the EU complied with one of MEBF's most<br />
urgent demands” [MEBF Newsletter, Issue II, July 1999].” 275<br />
The demands of the MEBF span across the entire width of the free trade agenda,<br />
with a special emphasis on the issue of the “protection” of foreign investment.<br />
Already in 1999 the MEBF had demanded, with respect to the sector of investment<br />
in the EU-MERCOSUR free trade agreement 276 :<br />
• national treatment for investors/investments;<br />
• common investment rules and procedures at all governmental levels;<br />
• non-discriminatory access to government funds, civilian research and development<br />
programs;<br />
272<br />
“[...] Der MEBF begleitet die Freihandelsverhandlungen zwischen der EU und dem MERCOSUR von Seiten<br />
der Wirtschaft. Nach dem Scheitern der WTO-Verhandlungen in Cancún gewinnen die EU-MERCOSUR-<br />
Verhandlungen und damit auch der MEBF an Bedeutung. [...] Im Rahmen der IV. MEBF-Konferenz werden<br />
Papiere mit gemeinsamen MERCOSUR / EU-Empfehlungen zu den Bereichen Marktzugang, Investitionen<br />
und Dienstleistungen verabschiedet und in den Verhandlungsprozess eingebracht. Finanzminister Eichel, der<br />
brasilianische Wirtschaftsminister Furlan und EU-Kommissar Liikanen haben ihre Teilnahme bereits zugesagt.<br />
Weitere hochrangige Politiker aus dem MERCOSUR und der EU werden erwartet.” http://www.ixpos.de/frameset.<br />
htm?content=http://www.ixpos.de/news/meldungen/BDI105.html?prevHome=1.<br />
Own translation: “[...] The MEBF is part of the free trade negotiations between the EU and MERCOSUR from the<br />
side of business. After the failure of the WTO negotiations in Cancún, the EU-MERCOSUR negotiations and with<br />
them also the MEBF are gaining importance. [...] At the IV MEBF conference papers with joint MERCOSUR/EUrecommendations<br />
for the areas of market access, investment and services were passed and brought into the<br />
negotiation process. [German] Secretary of Finance Eichel, the Brazilian Secretary of Commerce Furlan and EU<br />
Commisary Liikanen have already confirmed their participation. Other high-ranking politicians from the EU and<br />
MERCOSUR are expected to participate.”<br />
273<br />
http://mebf.arcelor.com/about.htm.<br />
274<br />
http://mebf.arcelor.com/rio.htm.<br />
275<br />
Torrelli, Claudia: MERCOSUR for sale? The EU’s FTAA and the need to oppose it. Corporate Europe Observatory<br />
(CEO) & Transnational Institute (TNI), Info Brief, Amsterdam, August 2003, p. 3.<br />
276<br />
http://mebf.arcelor.com/pdf/MEBF_Rio_Declaration.pdf.