Uruguay and Argentina finally reached on Wednesday an agreement for the joint monitoring of the River Uruguay which should end the long-standing dispute over the construction of the Finnish UPM/Botnia pulp mill dating back to 2005.
Uruguayan president Jose Mujica will be meeting with his peer Cristina Kirchner Wednesday in Buenos Aires in what seems an attempt to unbind differences relative to the joint monitoring of the river Uruguay, particularly the Finnish pulp mill UPM/Botnia which is at the heart of the ongoing dispute between the neighbouring countries.
Citing the “increased resilience to external shocks” Fitch upgraded Uruguay to BB from BB-, two levels below investment-grade and in line with Standard & Poor's. Moody's Investors Service rates Uruguay at Ba3, three levels below investment grade. Fitch last increased the country's rating in July 2007, taking it up one level from B+.
Discussions for the joint monitoring of the River Uruguay with Argentina are “not blocked” and “we have a very strong commitment with the on-going negotiations” said Uruguayan Foreign Affairs minister Luis Almagro following Monday morning’s ministerial cabinet meeting headed by President Jose Mujica.
Uruguay and Argentina continued on Friday working to reach an agreement for the joint monitoring of the Uruguay River, with the goal of overcoming the long-standing conflict over the Botnia/UPM pulp mill.
An ‘ultra K’ as the most dedicated supporters of Argentina’s ruling couple Kirchner are identified, will most probably be the next ambassador in Montevideo, according to press reports on both sides of the River Plate.
Uruguay and Argentina agreed Wednesday on a 48 hours “reflection period” before retaking formal negotiations for the joint monitoring of the River Uruguay, which is at the heart of the pulp mills dispute, and alleged contamination, between the neighbouring countries.
Uruguay is overall champion of tourism in Latin America, according to the Latin Tourism Index from Latin Business Chronicle
The Argentine city of Gualeguaychú and Fray Bentos across the shared River Uruguay celebrated Monday the first month of the end to pickets that since 2006 had impeded traffic and trade across the international bridge linking the two neighbouring locations.
Hydrocarbons minister Fernando Vincenti confirmed that Bolivia is interested in extending its natural gas pipeline network to add Paraguay and Uruguay to its list of clients now limited to Mercosur main associates, Brazil and Argentina.