Brussels, 18/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - It is “important” for the EU and Mercosur to send out a “joint political signal”, said José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, speaking on Tuesday 18 September after a meeting in Brussels with Tabaré Vazquez Rosas, President of Uruguay. He spoke of the possibility of a joint statement at an initiative from Uruguay allowing the political commitment of the two geographical entities to be renewed in favour of closer relations. Saying that the declaration could be made public during the year, Vazquez Rosas spelled out several areas of collaboration such as the environment, energy policy and infrastructure. On the strength of experience gained, the EU can give Mercosur its support in favour of regional integration, Mercosur's president-in-office said. Barroso and Vazquez Rosas restated the EU and Mercosur's determination to reach an ambitious agreement in the context of international trade talks underway within the World Trade Organisation. Uruguay will host the next summit of Mercosur countries on 17 December this year.
On Tuesday, at the level of EU/Uruguay bilateral relations, Reinaldo Gargano, Uruguay's Foreign Minister, and Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European External Relations Commissioner, signed a memorandum of understanding establishing priority areas of cooperation for the period 2007-2013. These areas are social and regional cohesion (€18.5 million) and support for research, development and innovation (€12.5 million). In addition to these two main areas of cooperation, there are themes that cut across all areas such as human rights, gender equality and the environment. Mr Barroso also welcomed the recent adoption by Uruguay of European digital TV standards (see EUROPE 9492). During his visit to Brussels, Mr Vazquez Rosas also met Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the CFSP. (mb)