The President of the Argentine Republic, Mr. Mauricio Macri and his counterpart from the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Mr. Tabaré Vázquez, met today at the Presidential Residence in Olivos, in which members of both cabinets participated. The meeting took place in the excellent atmosphere of fraternity and cordiality that characterizes the bilateral relationship.
On this occasion, the Presidents addressed a number of issues on a shared agenda that reaffirms and strengthens the common goals set by the two presidents at their meeting in January this year at the Anchorena Presidential Estate.
In that context, both Governments welcomed the signature of a Short-stay Visa Waiver Agreement that marks the beginning of a new stage in this field: it provides for reciprocal waivers—much broader than they were up to now—for nationals of both countries. From its expected date of entry into force in November, Argentine and Uruguayan citizens will no longer need a visa to stay for up to ninety days in the other country for the purpose of carrying out any lawful activity, whether remunerated or non-remunerated.
In the field of sports, the Presidents agreed to create a binational Committee to prepare Argentina and Uruguay's joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
As regards the navigability of River Plate Channels, both Governments expressed their satisfaction with the measures adopted by the River Plate Administrative Commission (CARP) to restore the Martín García Canal to design conditions as soon as possible, and they agreed to issue an international call for bids to deep dredge and subsequently provide maintenance at 34 feet from the mean low tide lower limit tidal datum on soft bottoms, without prejudice to the project to dredge at a greater depth once the Emilio Mitre Canal is reached, and at 38 feet on hard bottoms in accordance with international standards, especially with PIANC standards.
In the environmental field and based on the agreement reached in Anchorena, both Governments agreed that progress had been made in the development of a binational Environmental Laboratory within the scope of the Uruguay River Administrative Commission (CARU), in accordance with the Statute that governs said river. The Laboratory will measure water quality along the shared section of the river, under the most advanced international parameters. Its operation will, additionally, enable a reduction in the cost of analyses, a large portion of which is currently processed abroad. In this context, a Monitoring Plan has been agreed which provides for the installation of eight sampling points, on a monthly basis, along the river. On the other hand, water quality measurement programmes are already under way on Uruguay River coasts and beaches.
Both Governments agreed that all environmental data must be gathered with the utmost transparency. To such end, Argentine and Uruguayan entities with authority over the matter will adopt all measures required to publish, as soon as possible, the results of measurements taken both at the UPM plant and in the Uruguay River.
As regards navigability, both Governments expressed their satisfaction with the commencement of dredging works to deepen channels. This will enable larger vessels to access the ports of Concepción del Uruguay and Paysandú.
Thanks to the firm political intent to strengthen physical integration between the two countries and in parallel to the studies that are being carried out to build a bridge between Monte Caseros, Province of Corrientes and Bella Unión, Departament of Artigas, works will be initiated to assess the technical and financial feasibility of the construction of a bridge that could be located along the Zárate-Brazo Largo-Nueva Palmira line, or in the vicinity.
Also with reference to physical integration, both Governments expressed their satisfaction with the reactivation of the work mechanism of Border Integration Committees and agreed that the Cooperation Committee for the Development of Border Zones (CODEFRO) will resume activities as soon as possible.
As regards the recent events in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the Presidents underscored the Joint Communiqué by OAS Member States of 22 October 2016 and reiterated the call to establish a dialogue process between the Venezuelan Government and the opposition that enables a peaceful solution to the critical situation of our sister nation.
Further, reaffirming their commitment to regional integration, the Presidents highlighted the importance of strengthening MERCOSUR and the Customs Union, and of incorporating new disciplines in accordance with the current trends in global trade. In addition, they underscored the need to ensure its operation and to comply with the terms of the Joint Statement signed on 13 September 2016 by the Foreign Ministers of the signatory States to the Treaty of Asunción.
They recalled the need to foster joint negotiations with third countries and groups of countries, for the purpose of successful integration at a global level.
The President of the Argentine Republic, Mr. Mauricio Macri, thanked the President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Mr. Tabaré Vázquez, for the Uruguayan people and Government's traditional, valuable support for the Argentine Republic's legitimate sovereignty rights over the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas.
Olivos, 24 October 2016.
Press release No. 360/16.
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