BRUSSELS, July 17 — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today reiterated her hopes of swiftly finalising a free trade deal with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, known as the Mercosur bloc.

"Our ambition is to settle any remaining differences as soon as possible so that we can conclude this agreement,” she said in Brussels.

Recent criticism by Brazil and Argentina on an addendum on climate, environment, and human rights has however put a quick breakthrough in doubt.

The EU was seeking to be a partner in a "win-win-agreement” von der Leyen said, speaking alongside Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Lula and more than 20 leaders of Caribbean and Latin American countries are in Brussels on Monday to meet their European Union counterparts for two days of talks on trade, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and climate change. — Bernama-dpa