Joint Presidential Statement – State Visit of the President of Uruguay, Tabaré Vázquez to Brazil – Brasilia, May 21, 2015

The President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Tabaré Vázquez, held State visit to Brazil on May 21, 2015, at the invitation of the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, during her last trip to Montevideo, to the inauguration ceremony of the Uruguayan representative on March 1, 2015. It was President Vázquez’ first bilateral trip abroad.  The two Presidents held a productive working meeting at which issues on the extensive bilateral agenda were addressed.

President Dilma Rousseff and President Tabaré Vázquez recalled that the bilateral relationship, based on a joint project of deep and comprehensive integration between both countries, is a successful example in the region. The Presidents  recalled that this common project, conceived under the High Level Group Brazil-Uruguay (GAN) and embodied by the Brazil-Uruguay Action Plan for Sustainable Development and Integration, aims at promoting development and social inclusion in both societies. The Presidents congratulated each other on the excellent trade relations between the two countries.  In this context, they welcomed the upcoming 2nd GAN Plenary Meeting , scheduled for the second half of 2015.

President Tabaré Vázquez acknowledge Brazil’s determined and constructive action at the Pro Tempore Presidency of MERCOSUR.

The two leaders reaffirmed the commitment of their governments to MERCOSUR’s process of regional integration, and to advancing with the validity of intrazone free trade.

The Presidents agreed on the importance of advancing MERCOSUR’s international negotiations agenda.  In this context, they consider the meeting between MERCOSUL and the European Union, to be held in Brussels on June 11, 2015, to be of  extreme importance

Both leadears pointed out, with regard to bilateral electrical interconnection, the conclusion of the construction of the new transmission line between Candiota (Brazil) and San Carlos (Uruguay).  They stressed that this electrical interconnection will strengthen energy security for both countries and serve as a model for regional integration.

The Presidents expressed their satisfaction with the recent joint approval, by the technical bodies of each countries, of the bidding terms forthe construction of a second bridge over the Jaguarão River and for the restoration of the historic bridge Barão de Mauá, between the cities of Jaguarão in  Brazil and Rio Branco in Uruguay.  They pointed out that the works will mean concrete progress towards the physical integration of the two countries, and alsoenhance the common historical and architectural heritage.

The two Presidents emphasized the need to revitalize the Paraguay-Parana Waterway (HPP), including through the resumption of the dynamics of meetings of the Intergovernmental Committee of the Waterway, the institutional channel for joint resolutions, by its five member States, on issues related to navigation in the waterway.

President Dilma Rousseff highlighted the important role that Uruguay played in the Pro Tempore Presidency of UNASUR.  The leaders recognized the central role of UNASUR in ensuring peace and democracy in the region, and emphasized the importance of the upcoming Summit of Heads of States and Government of the bloc.

President Tabaré Vázquez thanked, in his name and on behalf of his delegation, the welcome and the demonstrations of esteem and friendship from the government and people of Brazil during his visit to the country.