Mexico–Uruguay relations

Mexico-Uruguay relations

Mexico
Uruguay

Mexico–Uruguay relations are foreign relations between Mexico and Uruguay. Both nations are members of the Latin American Integration Association, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States and the Rio Group.

History

Statue of Mexican Independence leader José María Morelos in Montevideo

Historically, both countries were part of the Spanish Empire until the early 19th century. Mexico was part of Viceroyalty of New Spain while Uruguay was part of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. Soon after independence, both nations established diplomatic relations on 22 February 1831. In 1882, Uruguay established a consulate in Mexico City. In 1941, Mexico elevates its diplomatic mission in Montevideo to an embassy with Uruguay doing so two years later in 1943.[1]

During the 1970s and 1980s, Uruguay went through a Civic-military dictatorship. During that time several dissidents were killed and 'disappeared'. Many also immigrated abroad and sought refuge in many countries throughout the world, including Mexico. Since the return of democracy to Uruguay, diplomatic relations between Mexico and Uruguay have continued unabated. When Mexico received much negative publicity following the outbreak of swine flu in 2009, Uruguay was said to have “never closed its doors to Mexico”.[2]

2009 Strategic Association accord

On 14 August 2009, President of Mexico Felipe Calderón and President of Uruguay Tabaré Vázquez met in Montevideo.[2] Calderón was on the second part of a South American tour,[3] during which he also met President of Colombia Álvaro Uribe in a tour which also involved a visit to Brazil.[2] In Montevideo, Calderón and Vázquez signed a deal which was intended to further advance the free trade agreement of 2004.[2] It was said to have been worth $500 million.[4] Deals concerning air connections, scientific research concerning Antarctica, education, tax avoidance and tax evasion, and "the protection, conservation, recovery and restitution of cultural assets which have been robbed or illicitly traded" were also signed.[2][4] Calderón called the deal "a milestone in our bilateral relation, which brings our peoples closer and further promotes trade".[2]

As well as signing these agreements, Calderón carried out several other functions during this visit to Uruguay. He participated in the Plan Ceibal, an initiative to provide laptops to schoolchildren and improve internet access, by visiting the school which was to receive the 300,000th laptop in this scheme.[2] Following on from this, Calderón met Vice-President of Uruguay Rodolfo Nin Novoa and addressed the country's parliament,[4] where he informed Uruguay that “a highly sensitive export issue for Uruguay, such as is beef, which has faced ongoing difficulties, as of now, following this visit, will be removed” and said he agreed with Colombia's decision to allow its military bases be opened to the United States.[2] Calderon stayed in Uruguay for the weekend before leaving to visit Brazil.[3]

State visits

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto decorating Uruguayan President José Mujica in 2014

Presidential visits from Mexico to Uruguay[5][6]

Presidential visits from Uruguay to Mexico[7][8][9][10]

Trade

In July 2004, both nations signed a free trade agreement.[11] In 2014, trade between the two nations amounted to $672 million USD.[12] Exports from Mexico to Uruguay include, but are not limited to: vehicles, televisions and tractors. Uruguayan exports to Mexico include: dairy and food products. Mexico is Uruguay's fourth biggest trading partner while Uruguay is Mexico's fifteenth biggest trading partner globally. Foreign direct investment from Mexico to Uruguay amounted to $200 million USD in 2011. In 2010, Uruguayan direct investment in Mexico amounted to $77 million USD. [13]

Resident diplomatic missions

Embassy of Mexico in Montevideo

See also

References

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