the chancellor of UruguayFrancisco Bustillo, conveyed to the Senate that during his trip to China They did not give him “neither a yes nor a no” on whether to advance in the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) sought bilaterally, since they expressed interest in that, as desired Brazilbe expanded to mercosur.
According to the shorthand version of Bustillo’s appearance before the International Affairs Commission of the Chamber of Senators of Uruguaythe minister detailed the content of his negotiations with Chinese authorities during his visit to the Asian giant in April.
”What they transferred us was not a yes or a no to a FTAbut they let us know that they had taken note of what was expressed by the president (of Brazil, Luiz) Lula on the occasion of the visit to the president (Uruguayan Luis) Lacalle Pou regarding the fact that Brazil might also be interested, once the negotiations with the European Unionadvance in an agreement mercosurChina”indicated.
Bustillo also pointed out that the Chinese authorities, who had met with Lula ten days before his visit, expressed “great expectations” for the new impulse of Brazilwhich, he specified, is shared by Uruguay.
”Of course, our first great option, in any negotiation, is to move forward together with our neighbors. That is our ideal. In the event that they did not, we would try to advance alone ”he clarified.
The minister, who held meetings with the Vice President of the People’s Republic of China, Han Zheng, with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Qin Gang, and with the deputy representative of China’s International Trade Negotiations, Wang Shouwen, thus rounded off with the statement that Asians are “studying the situation”.
”They are interested in an agreement with Uruguay. They stated that one day they will be able to implement it, but of course they would like to – to the extent that Brazil advances and maintains the will to do so; it would be much better for everyone – move forward together with the rest of the countries of the mercosur”he concluded.
On January 25, the Brazilian president held a meeting in Montevideo with Lacalle Pou in which he put cold cloths on the friction between Uruguay and the other partners of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) for extra-bloc negotiations.
Lula stated that he saw “possible” to expand the scale of the agreement with China that Uruguay he began negotiating alone and without the approval of Argentina, Brazil or Paraguay. “China is the first trade ally with Brazil and Brazil has a large surplus with China. We want to discuss, with our Chinese friends, a Mercosur China agreement,” she noted.
The Brazilian’s proposal was received with certain “nuances” but also with “optimism” by Lacalle Pou, who indicated that, if it materializes, Uruguay would “fold” and agree with China next to the block.
Source: Gestion
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