The former foreign minister of Uruguay Ernesto TalvOn Wednesday (01.07.2020), shortly before resigning from his post, he outlined the objectives that his country has set out to develop over the next six months, a period during which he will hold the pro tempore presidency of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur).
Talvi cited the need to generate «spaces for debate to identify pending issues and find solutions» that will allow Mercosur to "complete the dream of real integration" that began almost 30 years ago.
"We need to ensure that the Mercosur brand is recognised around the world as synonymous with quality integration", Talvi pointed out in his speech via videoconference at the Summit of Foreign Ministers of the South American bloc.
For the next six months, Uruguay has set itself the goal of following a path with a marked economic and commercial character, similar to that proposed by Paraguay in these first six months of the year, although in the case of Uruguay it will have to deal with global development after the pandemic.
Talvi has already warned the other partners, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, that the risk of a world surrendered to protectionism "seems to increase day by day" and defended that His country's commitment "continues to be integration."
Under his pro tempore presidency, Uruguay hopes to sign trade agreements with the European Union, achieved in June 2019, and with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), closed in August of that year.
"The signing of these agreements will demonstrate, in turn, that Mercosur is an advantage for those of us who need to work towards the insertion of our countries in the world," Talvi told his colleagues.
In fact, Talvi said that his country, as pro tempore president of Mercosur, will not limit itself to obtaining the final signature of these agreements, but hopes to resume "ongoing negotiations and explore new ones that arise."
In addition to agreements with the EU and EFTA, Mercosur is also eyeing negotiations with Canada, Singapore, Korea and Lebanon.
Unity with flexibility
The Uruguayan shared with the rest of the Mercosur members the concept that will govern the presidency of Uruguay: "unity with flexibility."
Talvi recalled that the different members of Mercosur have had, since their beginnings, "visions on economic integration that are not always the same" and that are still maintained today.
Hence, Uruguay proposes to continue with integration but with the flexibility that allows Mercosur to advance without ideological obstacles.
"Accepting that unity with flexibility will be the format with which we will advance in our integration would be the greatest sign of maturity that the bloc could give, avoiding the ideological and principled discussions of the past," stressed the former foreign minister.
He also put on the table the proposal to design mechanisms with differentiated speedss to negotiate with the different markets of interest.
Change of presidency
Uruguay will receive the pro tempore presidency of Mercosur from Paraguay on Thursday.
Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez will hand over the Mercosur hammer to his Uruguayan counterpart Luis Lacalle Pou in a virtual meeting to be held via videoconference from the Central Bank of Paraguay.
The other two presidents of the bloc's countries, Argentine Alberto Fernández and Brazilian Jair Bolsonaro, will also take part in the event.
The High Representative for Foreign Affairs of the European Union, Josep Borrell, will also participate as a guest.
El The central theme of this Summit will be the coronavirus pandemic, which arrived in the region in March and disrupted the plans of the Paraguayan presidency.
Telvi's resignation
Talvi presented his work this Wednesday resignation from office, despite his intention to remain in office until the end of the year, when the pro tempore presidency of Mercosur will end.
"I understand, however, that the President of the Republic sets the timetables in the cabinet. I therefore submit my resignation from the post. Nothing could be further from my intention than to be an obstacle to your desire to appoint the Minister of Foreign Affairs that you consider most appropriate to accompany your administration," wrote the head of Foreign Affairs in a letter that he posted on Twitter.
His successor in office will be the current ambassador of Uruguay in Spain, Francisco Bustillo.
Source: Reuters
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