Negotiations between Argentina and Uruguay for the “free trade traffic” would advance

Uruguay, February 21, 2011

Foreign Minister of Uruguay, Luis Almagro, said that in the meeting on Thursday between President Cristina Kirchner and her Uruguayan counterpart, José Mujica, the representatives will seek to advance towards the free flow of trade between the two countries.

Almagro said they will seek to expand the number of non-automatic import licenses granted to Uruguayan products as part of regional integration policy in both countries.

The Foreign Minister of Uruguay said: “We must bear in mind that Uruguay in 2010 exported 40% more than in 2009 and in February of this year exports were 10% higher than January last year.”

The Chancellor stated that “measures of (the Secretary of Commerce Guillermo) Moreno did not affect exports,” and the “strategy of dialogue” with Argentina has been used to this.

While deal that may be reached on Thursday runs from the outside of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), it is part of the policies of economic integration in South America to compete with foreign markets.