MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US new ambassador anticipates continued excellent relations with Uruguay

David Nelson, with a long experience in Uruguayan affairs

The new United States ambassador in Uruguay David Nelson anticipated good opportunities to promote business and investment between the administrations of President Barack Obama and incoming president Jose Mujica. He mentioned specifically livestock, forestry and agriculture.

Ambassador Nelson made the official presentation of his credentials on Tuesday to President Tabare Vazquez and in a brief press conference described bilateral relations as “excellent” and mentioned the two countries coincidences in supporting democracy, human rights and promoting economic development.

Nelson said that strengthening trade through the TIFA agreement and improving bilateral exchanges in culture and sports fields are some of the goals he will be promoting as ambassador.

Fluent in Spanish and a career diplomat Nelson recalled he was first stationed in Uruguay in 1982/83, during the military government but has good memories of that time.

The ambassador however avoided comments on the close relationship of the Uruguayan government with Venezuela and Iran.

When asked about the US migration policy and visas to travel to United States, Nelson said that Uruguay figures among those countries with a fluid traffic of visitors and migrants, “for which a visa is compulsory”, contrary to others that have a reduced inflow.

“One of the most important things which represents Uruguay is its example as a democratic country, stable not only because of the electoral calendar, which is important, but also because the press is respected, the legal system works and contracts are respected, a law abiding country, a very positive example for the region and the world”, underlined Nelson.

“It is also a country which promotes economic development with opportunities for everybody and this is also an example”, he added.

Accompanying Ambassador Nelson during the ceremony was his wife Mrs. Gloria Nelson and US Deputy Chief of Mission Robin Matthewman. After accepting the letters of credentials, President Vazquez held a private meeting with Ambassador Nelson.

Ambassador Nelson was confirmed by the US Senate as Ambassador to Uruguay last December 24. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Ambassador Nelson served as Acting Assistant Secretary for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs (EEB) prior to his nomination. In that position he provided the Secretary of State with advice on the full range of international economic issues.

He has previously served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in EEB, Executive Assistant to the Under Secretary for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs, as Director of the Office of Terrorism Finance and Economic Sanctions, Director of the Iraq Reconstruction Task Force, and as Director of the Office of Monetary Affairs.

He has also served on the National Security Council as Senior Coordinator for the Sea Island G-8 Summit, and has been posted abroad in Berlin, Madrid, Bonn, Quito, Montevideo and Merida.