Foreign relations of Uruguay

Uruguay traditionally has had strong political and cultural links with its neighbours and Europe. British diplomat Alfred Mitchell-Innes was Minister to Uruguay throughout the crucial years of The Great War (1913-1919).

With globalization and regional economic problems, its links to North America have strengthened. Uruguay is a strong advocate of constitutional democracy, political pluralism, and individual liberties. Its international relations historically have been guided by the principles of nonintervention, multilateralism, respect for national sovereignty, and reliance on the rule of law to settle disputes. Uruguay's international relations also reflect its drive to seek export markets and foreign investment. It is a founding member of MERCOSUR. In June 1991, MERCOSUR and the United States signed the "Rose Garden Agreement" (also known as the "Four Plus One" Agreement). The agreement was non-operational until June 2001 when MERCOSUR invited the U.S. to discuss the feasibility of market access negotiations. The first U.S.-MERCOSUR meeting was held on September 24, 2001, and resulted in the creation of four working groups on industrial trade, e-commerce, agriculture, and investment.

Uruguay is a member of the Rio Group, an association of Latin American states that deals with multilateral security issues (under the "Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance"). Uruguay's location between Argentina and Brazil makes close relations with these two larger neighbors and MERCOSUR associate members Chile and Bolivia particularly important. An early proponent of the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative, Uruguay has actively participated in the follow-up process to the periodic Summits of the Americas, especially the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Often considered a neutral country and blessed with a professional diplomatic corps, Uruguay is often called on to preside international bodies. Most recently, Uruguay was selected to chair the FTAA and WTO agricultural committees and an Uruguayan presides over the WTO General Assembly. Uruguay also is a member of the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), a trade association based in Montevideo that includes 10 South American countries plus Mexico and Cuba.

Disputes - international: Uncontested dispute with Brazil over certain islands in the Quarai/Cuareim (Brazilian Island) and Invernada streams and the resulting tripoint with Argentina.

In the 1960s, the US Office of Public Safety helped in training Uruguayan police officers. Dan Mitrione taught torture methods used against the civilian population and the Tupamaros.

ee also

* Brazil-Uruguay relations
* Uruguayan diplomatic missions
* List of diplomatic missions in Uruguay
* Embassy of Uruguay in Washington

External links

* [http://www.mrree.gub.uy Uruguayan Ministry of Foreign Relations]
* [http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1057657562430 British Embassy in Montevideo]
* [http://emb-uruguay.mrecic.gov.ar/ Embassy of Argentina in Montevideo]
* [http://www.mzv.cz/montevideo/ Embassy of the Czech Republic in Montevideo]
* [http://www.amb-montevideo.fr/ Embassy of France in Montevideo]
* [http://www.irlanda.org.ar/ Embassy of Ireland in Buenos Aires, Argentina] (serves as Embassy to Uruguay also)
* [http://www.uy.emb-japan.go.jp/ Embassy of Japan in Montevideo]
* [http://www.holanda.org.uy/ Embassy of the Netherlands in Montevideo]
* [http://www.emburuguai.org.br Embassy of Uruguay in Brasilia, Brazil]
* [http://www.embajadadeluruguay.com.ar/ Embassy of Uruguay in Buenos Aires, Argentina]
* [http://embassyofuruguay.ca/ Embassy of Uruguay in Ottawa, Canada]
* [http://www.amb-uruguay-france.com/ Embassy of Uruguay in Paris, France]
* [http://www.uruguay.cl/ Embassy of Uruguay in Santiago, Chile]
* [http://www.uruwashi.org/ Embassy of Uruguay in Washington, DC]
* [http://www.deutschebotschaft-montevideo.info/spr_2/home/index.html German Embassy in Montevideo]
* [http://www.un.int/uruguay/ Permanent Mission of Uruguay to the United Nations]
* [http://www.uruguay.org.ru/ Uruguayan Embassy in Moscow, Russia]
* [http://uruguay.usembassy.gov/ United States Embassy in Montevideo]