Spain and Uruguay stress importance of concluding negotiation of EU-MERCOSUR Agreement

The two ministers reviewed the state of bilateral relations and observed the excellent period they are enjoying and expressed their mutual interest in continuing to boost them, particularly now that international agendas and trips and visits abroad are being resumed. They stressed the importance of maintaining regular high-level visits between Spain and Uruguay, in the hope that, as soon as circumstances so permit, a visit by the President of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou, can be arranged to Spain.

Among other issues of interest for the two countries, the two ministers addressed the perspectives for the conclusion of the Association Agreement between the European Union and MERCOSUR, precisely at a time when Uruguay holds the Pro Tempore Presidency of this organisation in the second half of 2020. The two ministers agreed to underline the extraordinary importance of concluding the negotiation process as soon as possible and declared their firm commitment to support and encourage the negotiations currently under way in their respective regional blocs.

The two ministers also addressed various regional questions, such as the holding of the Ibero-American Summit and the situation in Venezuela. They renewed their commitment to continue working to extend Ibero-American cooperation and on ensuring the success of the upcoming Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, which will be held in Andorra on 21 and 22 April 20221, one of the key issues of which will be the recovery of Member States in the wake of the pandemic. As regards Venezuela, the two ministers declared their profound concern over the political and humanitarian crisis in this sister nation.

Finally, the two countries declared their interest in extending the collaboration between the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the Uruguayan Antarctic Institute on scientific research, and logistical and technological cooperation.

Non official translation