Uruguay announced this Wednesday (07.07.2021) during the meeting of the Common Market Council (CMC) that will begin talks with third countries to negotiate "extra-zone trade agreements".
"The position of the chancellor (Francisco Bustillo) and the Minister of Economy and Finance (Azucena Arbeleche) was to defending the modernization of the bloc"through a substantive, agile, dynamic, flexible and permanent external negotiation agenda," said a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He added that Uruguay understands that "Decision 32/00 is not in force, since it was never internalized."
Furthermore, the statement indicates that at the meeting "The reduction of the common external tariff was not approved, even though Uruguay had supported some of the proposals presented."
Finally, he stresses that Uruguay, "inspired by principles of gradualness, flexibility and balance," will act "in accordance with them in matters of international insertion, claiming its status as a full member of Mercosur«.
The foreign ministers of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, members of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), began a virtual meeting today prior to the presidential summit on Thursday and in which, among other issues, the trade strategy of the bloc will be addressed, which has generated strong internal differences in recent months.
Bolivian Foreign Minister Rogelio Mayta will also participate on behalf of this country, which is in the process of joining the bloc.
The Argentine Foreign Ministry said that the Secretary General of the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), Sergio Abreu; the Executive President of Fonplata-Development Bank, Juan Notaro; and the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Alicia Bárcena, will also participate in the meeting on Wednesday.
This Thursday, the Summit of Heads of State of Mercosur, Associated Countries and Special Guests will also be held virtually, in which Argentina will officially transfer the six-month presidency to Brazil.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
