The brand new ambassador of China in Uruguay, Huang Yazhongassured that the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between both nations is awaiting a political decision by the Chinese government.
The diplomat stressed the fact that his country supports the signing of free trade agreements, but recalled that Uruguay integrates the Mercosurwhere there are different objections in this regard.
According to the diplomat, the negotiation for the FTA with his country remains open, and he commented that “in recent years we have carried out a joint technical study that has been concluded, and I believe that the result is positive.”
In the last hours, Huang Yazhongpointed out at a press conference that to begin formal negotiations for the FTA and finally be able to sign this agreement “coordination is needed” by all parties.
“From China “There is no difficulty, actually,” said the ambassador, who said he was aware that in Uruguaysigning an FTA with your country “is a consensus of all the people,” but that Uruguay It cannot be decoupled from the interests of Mercosur.
“Uruguay is still a member of Mercosur and there are concerns from elsewhere”, we have yet to find a “good way” to resolve this issue.
“China always supports the idea of free trade”
For Huang Yazhong“China always supports this idea of free trade”, but that the pressure that is being exerted from Mercosur is delaying bilateral negotiations.
“I think there are concerns from other places,” he said. Huang Yazhongwho once again insisted that, for this reason, for China It is necessary to “coordinate this matter well.”
In mid-October, the Secretary of the Presidency, Alvaro Slimwill fly to the Asian giant, where a priori he would participate in an event headed by the president of that country, Xi Jinping.
This trip presupposes the prelude to what will be the arrival of the president to that nation. Luis Lacalle Pou in November, after previously visiting USA.
“We are going to have meetings with the Chinese government to be able to move forward with the possibility of continuing to open markets for some products that are still in process with protocols to be approved,” he explained. Slimwho will insist on making known Uruguay’s intention for the FTA.
Source: Ambito
