Uruguayan president believes Argentine economy “can’t remain closed much longer”
President Jose Mujica anticipated that the Argentine economy can’t remain ‘closed for much more time’ (protectionist) and forecasted that 2013 will be a ‘clear year’ for Uruguay regarding economic issues.
“We might have economic difficulties with Argentina. They currently have a much closed project but the Argentine economy can’t remain locked in for much longer” insisted president Mujica in an interview with the government financed daily La Republica.
Mujica also referred to the other major neighbour of Uruguay and Mercosur member, Brazil and underlined the “significant political determination” of President Dilma Rousseff’ administration “to favour and promote integration” with Uruguay.
Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay are full members of Mercosur the regional customs block which also includes Venezuela incorporated last July, and Paraguay that remains suspended following the Senate impeachment and removal of Fernando Lugo and his replacement by President Federico Franco.
“We must acknowledge that when we needed help, because of economic difficulties, the Brazilian government has always stood up for us”, added Mujica.
As to Venezuela and the health of President Hugo Chavez, allegedly recovering in Havana from his fourth cancer surgery, Mujica admitted “yes we have a degree of uncertainty and a question mark as to the future” if the re-elected president can’t take office next January 10.
Former guerrilla Mujica has a long standing friendship with Chavez and sent him a personal letter wishing him a quick recovery. He also announced the intention of flying to Havana to visit him in hospital.
Finally Mujica said that Uruguay has managed to diversify markets for its overseas sales and this despite the fact “the world has become a difficult place, I still am reasonably optimistic about the future of the economy”.
The Uruguayan economy according to official data expanded 3% in the third quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2011. Uruguay has been growing sustainedly since 2003.
Suggested Stories
-
May 23rd 2013
Cristina Fernandez administration limits overseas dollar extractions to a minimum
-
May 22nd 2013
Uruguay: Mujica on a most ambitious mission to China after investments for ports and railways
-
May 22nd 2013
Uruguay joins the women’s presidential club: Mujica flies to China and Astori to Colombia
-
May 22nd 2013
Uruguay’s main problem is high inflation but no policy changes planned, says Astori
14 comments Feed
Note: Comments do not reflect MercoPress’ opinions. They are the personal view of our users. We wish to keep this as open and unregulated as possible. However, rude or foul language, discriminative comments (based on ethnicity, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation or the sort), spamming or any other offensive or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. Please report any inadequate posts to the editor. Comments must be in English. Thank you.
It's that simple.
And I thought the EU wasn't very good.
Mujica is right, it can’t remain closed. The curtailment of economic freedom has started to bite in Argentina, forcing people to find their own ways round the restrictions. “Tourist” arrivals of Argies in to Chile increased 29% in 2012. Half of all foreigners arriving in Chile are now from Argentina. They are basically getting around the import restrictions by doubling up their holidays with an annual durable goods shopping spree. The ones I have spoken to say that food and accommodation here is expensive for them but all the electronic goods are much less expensive and more readily available than in Argentina.
Traditionally when the exchange rate is unfavourable for the Argies, they just don’t come, whereas now they are coming in greater numbers than ever, despite the cost because they just can’t get essentials back home. With millions of Argies prepared to cross the border to buy what they need, CFK’s measures will fail. The imports will arrive, the dollars will leave, just in an extraordinarily inefficient manner.
If CKF wants to take it to the next level she will have to restrict the movement of people and that isn’t going to happen.
First almost nobody believes anything that Pepe says anymore
As for restricting the movement of people they tried that on us and blocked the international bridges for many months
If Mujica's only political lever is to suggest that Uruguay just sits there waiting for Argentina to stop being Argentine, then I'm guessing he's the wrong man for the job. If you have to make a suit out of a piece of cloth, you do it or find a better bit of cloth. You don't sit there waiting for the cloth to get better or bigger
As for restricting the movement of people, it's only a matter of time before they start wheeling out internal passports for that very purpose.
Been on the bottle again, you are back to posting absolute shit?
We are 3M people (yes, I took part in the census of 2011, so my wife and me are part of the 3M), less than half that of London.
Would you expect half of London to subjugate two thirds of the UK? FFS get real; you are giving the rest of us a reputation for idiocy.
And how should we police your idiocy and what retribution do you suggest we take against you?
My post is as idiotic as yours, to hopefully bring you to your senses.
@10 3,318,535 actually. So what you're admitting is that you have no guts. Mujica is ONE man. Too many for you?
Perhaps you should “think” about what Britain achieved in its history. Here's just a little example. In 1808, a British army landed in Portugal to free it from French occupation. It comprised approximately 15,000 men. It faced a French imperial army of 100,000. It won and the French were ejected. By October of that year, the British army had increased to 25,000, had entered Spain and were facing a French imperial army of more than 200,000. Get the picture? WE don't say “We can't.” We just get on and do it. Hey, do you remember the Falklands in 1982? British forces were far less than those of argieland. Remember how we only sent 28 Harriers? But the argies lost over 100 aircraft. Remember how many prisoners we took when the argies surrendered? 11,313. Essentially, with 2 battalions of the Parachute Regiment and some artillery.
In your state of laissez-faire cowardice, have you forgotten who was instrumental in bringing your country into existence? We shouldn't have bothered.
You won't have to “police” anything. If you'd actually read my comment, you'd know that I see you being cut off. Isolated. You want to support your LatAm “friends”? Go ahead. You're no “friends” of ours. Just part of the enemy. A gutless part of the enemy. I have no time for fence-sitters. If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.
You can't take any “retribution” against us. You have nothing we want. You are insignificant. Useless. Pointless.
I am not one of those “to understand all is to forgive all” types. I am more the “If they are not for us, kill them.” types. Make your will, coward.
I am perfectly aware of the fact that Great Britain came to the aid of her oldest ally Portugal, a bunch of Dagoes dotcha know wot speaks Portuguese. I am also aware of the fact that Wellington considered his Portuguese troops among the best he had and which were sorely missed at Waterloo
So you are an expert on the Pensinsular War. Well look up the battle of Arroyo dos Molinos The colours and drums captured from the 34ieme regiment of French foot are still in Carlisle Castle as far as I know though the French keep asking for them back. Bit like the argentines really
I do not need lectures from a retired bent copper with serious mental health problems about the British Army or British Navy and I love the fact you spout this nonsense from the safety of the UK with a population of 63 Million and counting due to the Muslims breeding like the vermin they are.
The rest of us live in the present time and have to deal with the problems of the present, the main one for Uruguay is TMBOA and the second one is Pepe. I KNOW this from LIVING HERE.
The second one will be settled relatively soon, the first one is ever present it seems given that argies insist on electing robbing bastards for their presidents.
So leave the security of the UK (as I did almost 2 years ago) and come to the lovely country of Uruguay and we will soon see how YOU cope.
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!