Argentina, Uruguay sign treaties, aim to improve bilateral trade

Argentina and Uruguay signed several treaties with the aim of improving bilateral trade, limiting rivers navigation and other issues, within the Second Binational Meeting of Ministers.

“The Joint Statement prompts the speeding up of trade matters and the improvement and expansion of bilateral trade.These are very important agreements,” said Uruguayan Foreign Minister Luis Almagro.

“There is a commitment and both parties benefit. Regarding export sectors, Uruguay has a 1-3 deficit in comparison with Argentina,” he added.

Almagro also said “the dredging of the Martin García channel in the Rio de la Plata river and the Paraná river will be put out to tender."

Uruguayan businessmen had expressed their concern regarding President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner´s decision of increasing the non-automatic licenses to 600, thus establishing protectionist barriers to products of all over the world, including Uruguayan goods.

If strictly enforced, trade barriers on Uruguayan products would mean that the neighbouring  country could lose up to US$150 million, particularly in textile and food sectors, of a total amount of US$500 of export to Argentina.

Despite that Uruguay increased exports to Argentina in 2010, Uruguay suffered a US$900 deficit in trade balance with the country.

“We shall start a new relationship trade wise. We signed agreements for integration in the fields of mining, health, education, science, energy, environmental issues, and social policies,” Foreign Minister Timerman stated.

Uruguayan and Argentine ministers will meet every six months and shall be in constant communication. Regarding energy agreements, both countries agreed to boost a regasification plant and the Salto Grande binational dam.

Argentina and Uruguay also agreed to establish a centre for renewable energies and to fight against international organized crime.

Argentine Ministers that took part of the meeting included: Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman, Industry Minister Débora Giorgi, Tourism Minister Carlos Meyer, Planning Minister Julio De Vido, Justice Minister Julio Alak, Labour Minister Carlos Tomada, Social Development Minister Alicia Kirchner, Education Minister Alberto Sileone, Sciencee Minister Lino Barañao and  Agriculture Ministry Agriculture Secretary Lorenzo Basso.

Sports Secretary Claudio Morresi, Ministry of Health Cabinet Chief Daniel Yedlin, Economy Ministry economic coordination department undersecretary Alejandro Robba, Enviroment Secretariat politics coordination undersecretary Armando Gandia, Culture Secretariat Culture administration undersecretary Marcela Carrillo also took part.

 Uruguayan ministries and government officials included: Foreign Minister Luis Almagro, Interior Minister Eduardo Bonomi, Industry Minister Roberto Kreimerman,  Transport and Public Works Minister Enrique Pintado, Culure and Education Minister Ricardo Ehrlich, Social Development Minister Ana Vignoly, Agriculture Minister Tabaré Aguerre, Health Minister Daniel Olekser, Housing Minister Graciela Muslera, Sport and Tourims Vice-Minister Liliam Kechichián and Economy Ministry Macroeconomic Consultancy Head, Andrés Masoller.