Foreign Minister Mondino met with her Uruguayan counterpart, Omar Paganini, at Palacio San Martín. This meeting and the recent meeting of the Argentina-Uruguay Integration Commission (CIAU) in Montevideo, at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers, bear witness to the excellent state of the bilateral relationship.
Both Foreign Ministers welcomed the reconditioning of the Salto Grande Hydroelectric Complex, a key project for the future of both countries, since it accounts for over 40% of Uruguay’s electricity consumption and, approximately, 5% of Argentina’s.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to continue working on the reorganization of the Binational Commissions on Argentine-Uruguayan rivers, which will result in more efficient management of resources, sailing matters, infrastructure and connectivity to facilitate trade.
The Foreign Ministers underscored the importance of the project for the Physical Integration of Monte Caseros (Argentina) and Bella Unión (Uruguay), and the significance of the update of the Technical, Environmental and Socio-economic Viability Studies, carried out within the Administrative Commission of the Río Uruguay through a Technical Cooperation Agreement with CAF, which will be evaluated by competent areas of government to decide on the relevant financing.
Regarding border and border integration issues, they commended the work being done by both Foreign Ministries to convene a meeting of the existing Integration Committees, as well as a meeting of the Cooperation Commission for the Development of the Argentina-Uruguay Border Zone (CODEFRO).
In addition, they discussed the main projects presented by companies, as well as potential areas for cooperation in defence industries, including the naval industry.
Both Foreign Ministers agreed to continue discussing issues on the bilateral economic-commercial agenda and to organize a new meeting of the Argentina-Uruguay Bilateral Trade Commission, while keeping dialogue open, as has been the case so far. In this regard, they highlighted the importance of deepening the bilateral trade relationship, in order to streamline exports and strengthen both countries’ economies.
The Ministers also reaffirmed the strategic role of MERCOSUR, as well as their permanent willingness to move forward with the work underway within the bloc, and stressed that the integration process must become a stepping stone to propel the countries into the world.
Finally, they agreed on the importance of making progress on the removal of the remaining bilateral trade restrictions, as well as on the signing of trade agreements that will enable the increase of goods and services exports, thus boosting global insertion.
