The foreign ministers, Francisco Bustilloand Transport and Public Works, Jose Luis Falero, together with the Minister of Economy and Finance, Azucena Arbeleche, explained the details of the bilateral meeting they held yesterday in Brazil, in which important binational investment and infrastructure agreements were reached.
In a press conference that lasted about half an hour, the ministers detailed the characteristics of the meeting with their Brazilian counterparts in greater depth. —Mauro Vieira (External relationships), fernando haddad (Tax authorities), Renan Filho (Transportation) and Marcio France (Ports and Airports)—, and highlighted its meaning in “terms of joint interest with Brazil”.
“Virtue is none other than reflecting a road map of the many works that we are going to carry out, works from which we came a long time ago and that today have fixed deadlines and dates that will allow us to continue taking concrete steps to move forward and complete the long-awaited works”, Bustillo began, giving a quick summary of the topics discussed.
Among them, the most novel point was the invitation of the Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvato his Uruguayan counterpart Luis Lacalle Pouto accompany him during the next meeting of the G20 who will preside over Brazil next year. “It gives clear signs of Brazil’s perception of Uruguay and the importance that Uruguay is beginning to acquire in the international arena,” said the foreign minister. Likewise, he maintained that the invitation is a “recognition to the country but particularly to the management” that it has achieved “an image of a serious country, that complies with its commitments and that is in permanent evolution and full of development, something highly valued by all.”
Bustillo also referred to the dialogue they held regarding the modernization of the mercosur and in accordance with the European Union, which for Brazil is a priority, “an international insertion in which we are on the same path.” Finally, and regarding infrastructure works, he pointed out that “they are the true integration”: “Tariffs, restrictions and exceptions come and go, what are a reality and are maintained over time are infrastructure works.”
The works that will be carried out this year
In turn, Minister Falero explained in greater detail the works that were agreed between both countries, and pointed out that “a very important step has been achieved that marks an interesting process in the integration with Brazil”, especially with regard to the commitment to specify the start of work during this year.
In this sense, the head of the MTOP highlighted that yesterday’s meeting was “one of the most successful bilateral meetings in the last time in concrete questions”. “In record time and 24 hours in Brazil, we managed to bring the three commitments that President Lacalle Pou and President Lula had made just 30 days ago, and we already have this declaration signed by both foreign ministers,” he considered, and recalled that it is ” very good news for the people of the Northeast, the production and the connectivity between both cities”.
About him Rivera binational airportreaffirmed what was already known about the next meeting between the authorities of both countries in 30 days, without giving more information but anticipating news for next month about the project that will allow a better connection to and from Uruguay, as well as a true opening north of the country.
Regarding the waterway, Falero said that the commitment to start the process this year was reached, in the stages that correspond to the feasibility study, proposals and bidding documents.
Finally over the bridge maua, explained that the executive project that was put out to tender in 2015 —but failed due to budgetary problems in Brazil— will be resumed, but with the modification that it will be divided into two initiatives: on the one hand, the construction of the new bridge, which will be financed by Brazil and for which a period of 60 days was agreed for the opening of the tender; and, on the other, the renovation of the old bridge, in charge of Uruguay, which will begin once the new layout is finished, so as not to affect traffic. In turn, access to the bridge from Uruguay and Brazil will be the responsibility of each country, as appropriate.
In terms of estimated investment, Falero indicated that, although the amounts may vary in the biddingare calculated around 8 million dollars for the renovation of the old bridge —taking into account the specific needs and requirements to protect the heritage value of the work—; and another 8 million for the construction of the accesses, which are already contemplated in the MTOP works plan.
On the other hand, although they did not dare to estimate figures for the impact of the works in the countrythe ministers agreed on the enormous possibilities in terms of connectivity and costs reduction for production. Likewise, Arbeleche highlighted the positive impact at the economic level, of growth and in terms of employment generation that the works will have, in addition to the direct and immediate benefits of their completion.
Source: Ambito
