Representatives of the EU and Mercosur bloc - namely Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay — meet in Asunción on Saturday, January 17, to sign the long-awaited free trade agreement after more than 25 years of negotiations.

The deal would create the world’s largest free trade area, covering more than 700 million people and trade worth over €111 billion.

The EU has seen massive protests from farmers in particular, warning that their livelhoods are under threat. The bloc passed the deal by 'qualified majority' despite opposition from Austria, France, Hungary, Ireland and Poland - and Belgium abstaining. It still needs to be approved by the European Parliament.

Programme

15 00 GMT EU-Mercosur agreement signing ceremony

16 15 GMT Press conference