“We believe that the challenges of this time demand more cooperation, not less, more dialogue, not less, more integration, not less. Dialogue and trying to reach agreements is not about giving up convictions, is having the firmness to build a common course from differences“he added.
The president recalled the creation of Mercosur 35 years ago and pointed out that its founders understood that competing was no longer enough and that it was necessary to cooperate.
“Integration is not thinking alike, it is building trust, generating opportunities, it is improving the lives of our people. With that conviction, Uruguay will assume the pro tempore presidency of the bloc“he stated.
Furthermore, he highlighted the work done by Paraguay during the last semester.
“We receive a Mercosur that has taken important steps and now we have to consolidate them. We will do so by reaffirming the principles that support this integration process: democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law“, held.
During his speech, Orsi expressed Uruguay’s solidarity with the people of Bolivia for the “complex situation” that he is going through and expressed his support for Venezuela after the consequences of the recent earthquakes.
Likewise, he congratulated the governments of Peru and Colombia for their “recent electoral processes developed in a framework of peace, transparency and respect for democratic institutions”.
Uruguay’s priorities at the head of Mercosur
Later, Orsi presented the priorities that Uruguay will have during the pro tempore presidency and stated that it will seek to promote a “Mercosur is much more modern, more dynamic and even more open to the world”.
“We arrive at this summit after a historic six-month period. The signing of the strategic association agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, together with the provisional application of the interim trade agreement, represents one of the most important milestones since the creation of the block. It is a turning point. “It strengthens economic integration, expands political cooperation and opens new opportunities for investment, trade and development,” he stated.
The president added that this agreement opens a new stage for the bloc trade policy.
“We have to continue modernizing Mercosur, eliminate obstacles, promote the necessary reforms and create the conditions to take advantage of this stage again. With this, Uruguay’s main priority will be to advance in the implementation of the recently concluded trade agreements and We will put special emphasis on the interim trade agreement with the European Union and the agreement with the EFTA“he indicated.
In this framework, he announced that Uruguay will seek to hold the “first” meeting of the Trade Council of the interim agreement with the European Union and summon the first Mercosur-European Union Business Forumconsidering that the integration process also requires the promotion of the private sector.
He also indicated that he will continue the negotiation agenda with Canada, United Arab Emirates, India and Vietnam and affirmed that the bloc could advance “in very few months” towards a “increasingly firm meeting with Japan”.
Security, integration and fight against drug trafficking
Orsi also pointed out that the Uruguayan presidency will work on border integration, Bolivia’s full accession to Mercosur, the institutional strengthening of the bloc, the implementation of Focem II, the human rights agenda, education and artificial intelligence and security cooperation.
“Crime does not recognize borders; our cooperation and our response capacity must not recognize it either“he stated.
At the close of his speech, the president once again claimed the value of regional integration.
“Uruguay will assume responsibility and we will do so with the conviction of continuing to modernize Mercosur. I began by saying that we live in a time that invites us to close ourselves off and look for solutions inside; we continue to believe that the future is built in another way, with more exchange. Seeking agreement is not about resigning convictions, but rather about having the firmness to build a shared destiny. Because after 35 years, Mercosur’s greatest challenge is no longer to demonstrate that integration is possible, but to demonstrate every day that it helps improve the lives of our people.“he concluded.
After the presentations by the States Parties, interventions by the associated countries took place – Chile, Ecuador, Panama, Colombia and Peru – and then the special guests spoke: Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Trinidad and Tobago and Uzbekistan. Representatives from India and Japan also participate, those who did not make a speech.
Ceremony for the transfer of the pro tempore presidency
Once the speeches were over, the formal transfer of the pro tempore presidency of Paraguay to Uruguaywho will lead Mercosur until December 2026.
Given this, the president spoke again Yamandu Orsiwho defined as a “honor” being part of Mercosur.
“If we take into account that 200 years ago, more or less, we were born as fragmented States, over time, we saw how our differences led us to confrontations, to that competition and to now be part of a process that moves in the opposite direction, that moves towards integration. That honor I was talking about transforms into a true pride in being part of this process that we thought for a long time was going to be impossible.“, said.
“With the political will and with the heart placed on our people, this will not only be possible, but will be increasingly successful“he added in closing.
Orsi’s intervention at the summit can be reviewed live next:
