<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, and the President of Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi, signed an agreement this Tuesday in Montevideo for the establishment of annual bilateral political consultations, along with a series of other agreements on cooperation for sustainable development, consular, diplomatic, and cultural cooperation, gender equality and security, and the fight against crime.</strong></h4> Sánchez was received by Orsi as part of the Prime Minister's tour of South America, which began on Monday in Chile and will conclude on Wednesday in Paraguay. During the meeting, both leaders signed a joint declaration establishing the holding of annual political consultations, strengthening economic and trade relations, and including, for the first time, content related to equality and collaboration in regional forums and multilateral affairs. They also signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation on sustainable development between Spain and Uruguay, which, according to Moncloa, "goes beyond traditional cooperation formulas" and identifies "regional and global challenges on which both countries can align their positions." Another agreement was also signed on security and the fight against transnational organized crime, which will allow both Interior Ministries to exchange information on police intelligence and improve cooperation in citizen security. In addition, four Memoranda of Understanding were signed on consular cooperation (which includes mechanisms for coordinated action for the Uruguayan and Spanish communities in third countries), gender equality (to forge an alliance that promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, also in multilateral forums), cultural collaboration (for cooperation between Spanish and Uruguayan institutions in the visual and performing arts, music, film, literature, libraries, archives and museums, and cultural heritage management, among other areas), and cooperation between diplomatic schools. During the press conference following the meeting, Pedro Sánchez stated that these agreements reflect the "intense relationship" between Spain and Uruguay. He affirmed that Spain and Uruguay are "two vibrant democracies" united by shared interests and a shared vision in favor of democracy, human rights, and multilateralism, and that Uruguay is "a benchmark" for civil liberties and democratic values. The Prime Minister also warned of the "utmost imperative need for the European Union-Mercosur Agreement to be concluded and enter into force as soon as possible" because it would allow for the creation of the largest free trade area in the world. He reiterated, in these "times of global trade uncertainty," his support for market opening, with clear rules and effective multilateral mechanisms.
