Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 21 March (BelTA) – Belarus aims to seek new ways to intensify cooperation with Uruguay, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Argentine with concurrent accreditation to Uruguay Vladimir Astapenko said as he presented his credentials to President Tabare Vazquez of Uruguay, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Belarusian diplomat held brief talks with the head of state during the official ceremony. “Vladimir Astapenko emphasized Belarus’ determination to seek new ways for the intensification of trade and economic cooperation, business contacts and the expansion of the bilateral legal framework,” the ministry said.

The parties took note of the mutual interest in the steady development of the Belarusian-Uruguayan relations.

In 2017, Belarus exports $22.6 million worth of goods to Uruguay, a two-time increase on 2016’s figure.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uruguay is a small-capacity market. However, the country is of real interest to business due to its advantageous geographical position, which makes it a “gate” to South America, and its economic features. The country is home to ten free economic zones that provide favorable commercial conditions for production, banking and scientific activity, and trading operations with Uruguay and other states of Latin America.