India, Jan. 24 -- The European Union is willing to implement a sweeping free trade agreement with the Mercosur group of South American countries on a provisional basis, the head of the EU's executive commission said Friday, despite a vote by the EU parliament to delay ratification for legal review.

The EU would be ready to act as soon as at least one Mercosur country ratifies, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the conclusion of a summit of EU leaders in Brussels, where several national leaders raised the issue. "There is a clear interest that we ensure that the benefits of this agreement apply as soon as possible," von der Leyen said at a news conference. "In short, we will be ready when they are ready."

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