Cuba and the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) countries have kicked off talks here for a trade agreement, the Argentine Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday.

The two sides started their consultation on Tuesday, discussing a variety of issues including tariffs, security, trade regimes and regulations as well as norms and technical procedures for animal hygiene.

"These talks will lead to a qualitative jump in the trade relationship with Cuba. We plan to create benefits for all concerned," said Argentine Economic Integration Minister Eduardo Sigal, whose country currently holds the rotating Mercosur presidency.

Sigal presided over the talks jointly with Cuban Foreign Trade Minister Podro Pablo San Jorge.

Mercosur, a trade block grouping Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, is Cuba's main trading partner. The volume of Cuba's trade with Mercosur reaches 500 million U.S. dollars each year, accounting for 80 percent of its foreign trade.

Source: Xinhua