MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguay's target is FTAA

Access to the United States market is vital for Uruguay's recovery, so this country will negotiate bilateral trade agreements with the US and Canada if the Free Trade Association of the Americas, FTAA, initiative does not move ahead.

Uruguayan Foreign Secretary Mr. Didier Opertti pointed out in Montevideo that "if we can reach a good agreement concerning AFTA by 2005 this would be fantastic, but if before, even better".

However Mr. Opertti underlined that if talks fail or are delayed, Uruguay will begin bilateral trade conversations with United States and Canada, "as we have done and implemented with Mexico".

Mr. Opertti said that Argentina holds a similar stance regarding the 2005 target, adding that "we're going to do our outmost to reach that deadline and if we don't, it will mean not that the deadline failed but the whole project".

Regarding Brazil, that would rather see the "2005 deadline delayed", Mr. Opertti said it was understandable since Brazil is a highly industrialized country and needs more time to gear up and face Nafta competitors".

Mr. Opperti admitted that sometimes in foreign policy "national interests, and other influences", can sometimes have more weight than the integration process.

"Each country has the right to look for its own destiny", and advance in solitary if the "FTAA does not progress", concluded the Uruguayan Foreign Secretary.