MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bolivian gas and Paraguayan electricity for a deep sea port in Uruguay

Ptes. Mujica, Lugo and Morales during the meeting

Physical integration particularly in energy and access to the sea were two of the main issues addressed by the presidents of Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia, (Fernando Lugo, Jose Mujica and Evo Morales), during their Sunday meeting in Asunción in the framework of Urupabol, the regional group which brings together the three countries.

Mujica ratified Uruguay’s offer of a deep water port for Paraguay while Asuncion announced it was in the final stages of a project to sell electricity to Uruguay. The three countries also kept advancing in the project to pump Bolivian gas to Paraguay and Uruguay. This last option including a pipeline taking advantage of the existing Argentine network is to be financed by the Andean Community.

“During the meeting the three presidents agreed to begin rolling several physical integration projects between the three countries, in energy and fluvial communication”, said Hector Lacognata, Paraguayan Foreign Affairs minister.

Lacognata said that the gas pipeline from Tarija in Bolivia would cross Paraguay and finally reach Uruguay.

“Similarly President Mujica offered both (land-locked) Paraguay and Bolivia deep sea ports, from construction to operations”, added the Paraguayan minister.

The presidents met in Asuncion to participate of the Social Forum of the Americas and agreed to meet again in Montevideo at the end of the month or early September to continue advancing with the energy projects.

The meeting was President Lugo’s first official ceremony since returning from Brazil where he underwent treatment for a lymphoma.

The Urupabol group that Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia make up was created in 1963 but never fully developed. Last year, the group was called to action again by Morales.