"Argentina's Senate on Thursday approved by a huge majority the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union (EU), making the country the second member of the South American bloc to ratify it, after Uruguay. The vote in the Upper House passed with 69 votes in favour and only 3 against, after having been previously approved by the Chamber of Deputies on February 12. "Having been approved in general and in particular, the order of the day number 703-25 on the Interim Trade Agreement between Mercosur and the European Union becomes law and will be communicated to the National Executive Branch," announced Bartolome Abdala, provisional president of the Senate during the session. For its part, the government of President Javier Milei welcomed the approval, describing the day as "a fundamental step for Argentina's integration (...) into one of the world's main economic blocs." The pact brings together a market of 700 million people and a GDP of around 22 trillion dollars, projecting Argentine export growth of up to 122 per cent over 10 years, as well as more investment and employment. Ratification is still pending in Brazil, Paraguay and the EU, where it faces legal challenges."