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This article deals with the diplomatic affairs, foreign policy and international relations of Uruguay. At the political level, these matters are officially handled by the Ministry of Foreign Relations, also known as Cancillería, which answers to the President.
Uruguay traditionally has had strong political and cultural links with its neighbours and Europe. British diplomat Alfred Mitchell-Innes was Minister to Uruguay throughout the crucial years of World War I (1913–1919).
With globalization and regional economic problems, its links to North America have strengthened. Uruguay is a strong advocate of constitutional democracy, political pluralism, and individual liberties. Its international relations historically have been guided by the principles of nonintervention, multilateralism, respect for national sovereignty, and reliance on the rule of law to settle disputes. Uruguay's international relations also reflect its drive to seek export markets and foreign investment. It is a founding member of MERCOSUR. In June 1991, MERCOSUR and the United States signed the Rose Garden Agreement (also known as the "Four Plus One" Agreement). The agreement was non-operational until June 2001 when MERCOSUR invited the U.S. to discuss the feasibility of market access negotiations. The first U.S.-MERCOSUR meeting was held on September 24, 2001, and resulted in the creation of four working groups on industrial trade, e-commerce, agriculture, and investment.
Uruguay was a member of the Rio Group, an association of Latin American states that deals with multilateral security issues (under the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance), prior to the group's dissolution in 2011. Uruguay's location between Argentina and Brazil makes close relations with these two larger neighbors and MERCOSUR associate members Chile and Bolivia particularly important. An early proponent of the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative, Uruguay has actively participated in the follow-up process to the periodic Summits of the Americas, especially the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Often considered a neutral country and blessed with a professional diplomatic corps, Uruguay is often called on to preside international bodies. Most recently, Uruguay was selected to chair the FTAA and WTO agricultural committees and a Uruguayan presides over the WTO General Assembly. Uruguay also is a member of the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), a trade association based in Montevideo that includes 10 South American countries plus Mexico and Cuba.
In 2020, the new right-wing president of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou, announced that he will implement radical changes in Uruguay's foreign policy, taking a harder attitude against disputed President Nicolas Maduro's regime in Venezuela and improving relations with the U.S. The previous left-wing government of Uruguay had recognized Maduro as Venezuela's president. President Luis Lacalle Pou also declared the presidents of Venezuela and Cuba to be "dictators."[1]
Disputes - international: Uncontested disputes with Brazil over tiny Isla Brasilera at the mouth of the Quarai/Cuareim River near the Argentina tripoint, and, 225 kilometers upriver, over the 235 km2. Invernada River region, as to which tributary is the legitimate source of the Quarai/Cuareim River.
In the 1960s, the US Office of Public Safety helped in training Uruguayan police officers. Dan Mitrione taught torture methods used against the civilian population and the Tupamaros.[2]
List of countries which Uruguay maintains diplomatic relations with:
# | Country | Date |
---|---|---|
1 | Switzerland | 1828[3] |
2 | Argentina | 29 September 1829[4] |
3 | Mexico | 22 February 1831[5] |
4 | Brazil | 15 May 1831[6] |
5 | France | 8 April 1836[7] |
6 | Italy | 29 October 1840[8] |
7 | Spain | 9 October 1841[9] |
8 | Denmark | 28 February 1842[10] |
9 | United Kingdom | 15 July 1842[citation needed] |
10 | Bolivia | 1 November 1843[11] |
11 | Paraguay | 15 June 1845[12] |
12 | Peru | 21 April 1852[13] |
13 | Portugal | 16 October 1852[14] |
14 | Belgium | 16 September 1853[15] |
15 | Germany | 23 June 1856[16] |
16 | Russia | 9 September 1857[17] |
17 | United States | 2 October 1867[18] |
18 | Chile | 9 July 1869[19] |
19 | Austria | 7 December 1870[20] |
— | Holy See | 31 December 1877[21] |
20 | Colombia | 25 August 1888[22] |
21 | Venezuela | 27 May 1891[23] |
22 | Netherlands | 15 April 1896[24][25] |
23 | Cuba | 1 September 1902[26] |
24 | Serbia | 19 February 1904[27] |
25 | Panama | 28 October 1904[28] |
26 | Norway | 3 April 1906[29] |
27 | Sweden | 6 August 1906[30] |
28 | Guatemala | 16 March 1907[31] |
29 | Ecuador | 1 June 1914[32] |
30 | Poland | 22 July 1920[33] |
31 | Czech Republic | 16 August 1921[34] |
32 | Japan | 24 September 1921[35] |
33 | Greece | 1928[36] |
34 | Turkey | 4 January 1929[37] |
35 | El Salvador | 11 January 1929[38] |
36 | Honduras | 11 January 1929[39] |
37 | Costa Rica | 16 January 1930[40] |
38 | Egypt | 25 February 1932[41] |
39 | Luxembourg | 6 January 1934[42] |
40 | Finland | 21 March 1935[43] |
41 | Romania | 24 July 1935[44] |
42 | Dominican Republic | 5 September 1945[45] |
43 | Haiti | 5 September 1945[46] |
44 | Lebanon | 25 October 1945[47] |
45 | Syria | 11 October 1946[48] |
46 | Israel | May 1948[49] |
47 | Australia | 15 December 1948[50] |
48 | Canada | January 1951[51] |
49 | Ireland | 19 January 1955[52] |
50 | Hungary | 14 June 1956[53] |
51 | Bulgaria | 21 May 1958[54] |
52 | India | 27 June 1960[55] |
53 | Morocco | 20 December 1962[56] |
54 | Algeria | 21 August 1964[41] |
55 | South Korea | 7 October 1964[57] |
56 | Nicaragua | 1964[58] |
57 | Pakistan | 1964[58] |
58 | Nigeria | 20 February 1965[41] |
59 | Tunisia | 16 September 1965[41] |
60 | Indonesia | 11 October 1965[59] |
61 | Trinidad and Tobago | 22 November 1965[60] |
62 | Cyprus | 24 November 1965[61] |
— | Sovereign Military Order of Malta | 1965[62] |
63 | Barbados | 6 December 1967[63] |
64 | South Africa | 22 April 1968[41] |
65 | Saudi Arabia | 1974[64] |
66 | Malta | 13 October 1975[65] |
67 | Philippines | 29 December 1975[66] |
68 | New Zealand | 1975[67] |
69 | Iraq | 22 March 1976[68] |
70 | Thailand | 15 June 1976[69] |
71 | Senegal | 8 May 1978[41] |
72 | Suriname | 9 March 1979[70] |
73 | United Arab Emirates | 1 April 1980[71] |
74 | Equatorial Guinea | 15 September 1981[41] |
75 | Ghana | 24 May 1982[41] |
76 | Gabon | 14 June 1982[41] |
77 | Kenya | 20 July 1982[72] |
78 | Bahamas | 25 November 1982[73] |
79 | Iran | May 1983[74] |
80 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 31 April 1984[41] |
81 | Ivory Coast | 1 September 1984[41] |
82 | Jamaica | 23 May 1985[75] |
83 | Guyana | 3 June 1985[75] |
84 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 13 June 1985[76] |
85 | Grenada | 20 September 1985[75] |
86 | Jordan | 14 January 1987[77] |
87 | Angola | 6 March 1987[41] |
88 | Qatar | 16 March 1987[78] |
89 | Tanzania | 1 April 1987[41] |
90 | Oman | 7 April 1987[79] |
91 | Antigua and Barbuda | 27 April 1987[80] |
92 | Bangladesh | 21 July 1987[81] |
93 | Singapore | 15 September 1987[82] |
94 | Republic of the Congo | 22 September 1987[41] |
95 | Belize | 28 September 1987[75] |
96 | Albania | 18 October 1987[83] |
97 | Malaysia | 5 January 1988[75] |
98 | China | 3 February 1988[75] |
99 | Central African Republic | 1988[41] |
100 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 1988[84] |
101 | Mauritania | 25 March 1989[41] |
102 | Saint Lucia | 1 September 1989[75] |
103 | Cape Verde | 17 April 1990,[41]
10 September 2013[75] |
104 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 26 September 1990[41] |
105 | Afghanistan | 4 October 1990[75] |
106 | Iceland | 18 June 1991[85] |
107 | Libya | 4 October 1991[41] |
108 | Ukraine | 18 May 1992[86] |
109 | Armenia | 27 May 1992[87] |
110 | Latvia | 6 July 1992[75] |
111 | Belarus | 7 July 1992[75] |
112 | Estonia | 30 September 1992[75] |
113 | Slovakia | 1 January 1993[88] |
114 | Lithuania | 8 March 1993[75] |
115 | Slovenia | 26 April 1993[75] |
116 | Croatia | 4 May 1993[89] |
117 | Kazakhstan | 30 July 1993[75] |
118 | Vietnam | 11 August 1993[75] |
119 | Kyrgyzstan | 13 August 1993[75] |
120 | Mozambique | 28 October 1993[56] |
121 | Georgia | 11 May 1994[90] |
122 | Namibia | 13 September 1994[41] |
123 | Cambodia | 29 September 1994[75] |
124 | Brunei | September 1994[91] |
125 | Azerbaijan | 11 January 1995[75] |
126 | Bahrain | 25 May 1995[92] |
127 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 28 September 1995[75] |
128 | Moldova | 14 May 1996[75] |
129 | Turkmenistan | 16 July 1996[93] |
130 | Fiji | 17 September 1996[75] |
131 | Andorra | 27 November 1996[94] |
132 | Mongolia | 7 October 1997[75] |
133 | Uzbekistan | 25 May 1998[95] |
134 | Lesotho | 26 May 1998[41] |
135 | Tajikistan | 1 October 1998[75] |
136 | Zimbabwe | 9 April 1999[56] |
137 | Sri Lanka | 21 July 1999[75] |
138 | San Marino | 22 September 1999[75] |
139 | Liechtenstein | 30 September 1999[96] |
140 | Myanmar | 22 February 2001[75] |
141 | Monaco | 10 April 2001[97] |
142 | North Macedonia | 17 May 2002[98] |
— | Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | 26 December 2005[41] |
143 | Botswana | 4 May 2007[41] |
144 | Liberia | 1 June 2007[41] |
145 | Guinea | 19 June 2007[41] |
146 | Burkina Faso | 28 August 2007[41] |
147 | Gambia | 25 September 2007[41] |
148 | Togo | 28 September 2007[41] |
149 | Djibouti | 12 February 2008[41] |
150 | Benin | 14 February 2008[41] |
151 | East Timor | 23 September 2008[99] |
152 | Seychelles | 12 November 2008[41] |
153 | Maldives | 24 February 2009[75] |
154 | Montenegro | 25 February 2009[100] |
155 | Comoros | 14 May 2009[41] |
156 | Rwanda | 16 June 2009[41] |
157 | Vanuatu | 6 August 2009[75] |
158 | Marshall Islands | 2 December 2009[75] |
159 | Guinea-Bissau | 26 March 2010[41] |
160 | Sierra Leone | 22 September 2010[41] |
161 | Solomon Islands | 4 February 2011[75] |
162 | Dominica | 1 March 2011[101] |
163 | Nauru | 23 March 2011[102] |
164 | Ethiopia | 23 March 2011[41] |
— | State of Palestine | 29 March 2011[75] |
165 | Tuvalu | 9 September 2011[75] |
166 | Nepal | 18 April 2012[75] |
167 | Niger | 6 March 2013[41] |
168 | Samoa | 21 May 2013[75] |
169 | Federated States of Micronesia | 5 September 2013[75] |
170 | Cameroon | 18 December 2017[41] |
171 | Mauritius | 15 May 2019[75] |
172 | Tonga | 14 March 2024[103] |
173 | Kuwait | Unknown |
174 | Mali | Unknown |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Algeria |
| |
Angola | See Angola–Uruguay relations
| |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
In December 2021, President Luis Lacalle Pou paid a visit to Bukavu and Goma and visited with Uruguayan soldiers stationed there as part of MONUSCO in Eastern DR Congo.[104]
| |
Egypt | See Egypt–Uruguay relations
| |
Ethiopia |
| |
Ghana |
| |
Libya | 4 October 1991 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 October 1991.[107]
|
Namibia |
| |
Nigeria |
| |
SADR | 26 December 2005 |
|
Senegal |
| |
South Africa | See South Africa–Uruguay relations
|
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Argentina | 20 July 1811 | See Argentina–Uruguay relations
Uruguay and Argentina established diplomatic relations on July 20, 1811. Uruguay gained its independence after the Cisplatine War, with Argentine aid. During the Uruguayan Civil War, Argentina supported the National Party. The countries were allied during the Paraguayan War. Since the end of the 19th century, both countries have shared a similar pattern of European immigration. They have very close economic, cultural and political ties with each other. Between the 1960s and the 1990s there was much Uruguayan immigration to Argentina. Today, there are around 120,000 people of Uruguayan descent living in Argentina. In 2006 the countries had their first diplomatic tensions over the Pulp mill dispute, which was resolved in 2010.
|
Bolivia | See Bolivia–Uruguay relations
| |
Belize | 28 September 1987 |
|
Brazil | See Brazil–Uruguay relations
| |
Canada | 1953 | See Canada–Uruguay relations
|
Chile | See Chile–Uruguay relations
| |
Colombia | See Colombia–Uruguay relations | |
Costa Rica | See Costa Rica–Uruguay relations
| |
Cuba | See Cuba–Uruguay relations
| |
Dominican Republic | See Dominican Republic–Uruguay relations
| |
Ecuador | See Ecuador–Uruguay relations
| |
El Salvador | See El Salvador–Uruguay relations
| |
Guatemala | See Guatemala–Uruguay relations
| |
Guyana | 3 June 1985 |
|
Haiti |
| |
Honduras | See Honduras–Uruguay relations
| |
Jamaica |
| |
Mexico | 22 February 1831 | See Mexico–Uruguay relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on the 22 February 1831.
|
Nicaragua | See Nicaragua–Uruguay relations
| |
Panama | See Panama–Uruguay relations
| |
Paraguay | See Paraguay–Uruguay relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 6, 1845. During the Paraguayan War, even if Uruguay was the smallest member of the coalition which Paraguay had to face, soldiers of both countries fought each other during three major battles: Battle of Jataí, Battle of Tuyutí and Battle of Curupaity. Both countries were founding members of the Mercosur. Both countries are full members of the Latin Union, of the Association of Spanish Language Academies, of the Organization of American States, of the Organization of Ibero-American States, of the Union of South American Nations, and of the former Rio Group.
| |
Peru | See Peru–Uruguay relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1912, but various agreements were informally passed during the second half of the 19th century. Both countries are full members of the Latin Union, of the Association of Spanish Language Academies, of the Organization of American States, of the Organization of Ibero-American States and of the Union of South American Nations, and of the former Rio Group.
| |
Suriname |
| |
United States | See United States–Uruguay relations
Uruguay cooperates with the U.S. on law enforcement matters, such as regional efforts to fight drug trafficking and terrorism. It has also been very active in human rights issues. In 2002, Uruguay and the U.S. created a Joint Commission on Trade and Investment (JCTI) to exchange ideas on a variety of economic topics. In March 2003, the JCTI identified six areas of concentration until the eventual signing of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA): customs issues, intellectual property protection, investment, labor, environment, and trade in goods. In late 2004, Uruguay and the U.S. signed an Open Skies Agreement, which was ratified in May 2006. In November 2005, they signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), which entered into force on November 1, 2006. A Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) was signed in January 2007. More than 80 U.S.-owned companies operate in Uruguay, and many more market U.S. goods and services.
| |
Venezuela | See Uruguay–Venezuela relations
|
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Armenia | 27 May 1992 | See Armenia–Uruguay relations
|
Azerbaijan | 11 January 1995[118] | See Azerbaijan–Uruguay relations
|
China | 1988 | See China–Uruguay relations
|
Georgia |
| |
India | See India–Uruguay relations
| |
Indonesia |
| |
Iran | See Iran–Uruguay relations
| |
Israel | See Israel–Uruguay relations
| |
Japan | September 1921 | See Japan–Uruguay relations
|
Jordan |
| |
Lebanon | 1945 | See Lebanon–Uruguay relations
|
Malaysia | See Malaysia–Uruguay relations
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Pakistan |
| |
Palestine | See Palestine–Uruguay relations
| |
Philippines |
| |
Qatar |
| |
Saudi Arabia |
| |
Singapore |
| |
South Korea | 7 October 1964[130] | See South Korea–Uruguay relations
|
Turkey | 1929[132] | See Turkey–Uruguay relations |
United Arab Emirates |
| |
Vietnam | See Uruguay–Vietnam relations
|
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Andorra | 27 November 1996 |
|
Austria | See Austria–Uruguay relations
| |
Belarus | 1992 |
|
Belgium | See Belgium–Uruguay relations
| |
Czech Republic | See Czech Republic–Uruguay relations | |
Denmark |
| |
Finland | 21 March 1935 | See Finland–Uruguay relations
|
France | 1825 | See France–Uruguay relations
|
Germany | 1850 | See Germany–Uruguay relations
|
Greece | See Greece–Uruguay relations
| |
Holy See | See Holy See–Uruguay relations
| |
Hungary | See Hungary–Uruguay relations
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Iceland |
| |
Ireland |
| |
Italy | 1861 | See Italy–Uruguay relations
|
Netherlands | See Netherlands–Uruguay relations
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Norway |
| |
Poland | See Poland–Uruguay relations
| |
Portugal | See Portugal–Uruguay relations
| |
Romania | See Romania–Uruguay relations
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Russia | See Russia–Uruguay relations
Russia is looking for cooperation with Uruguay in the field of nuclear energy, the Russian ambassador to Latin America said: "Our countries could maintain cooperation in the sphere of nuclear energy although Uruguay's legislation bans the use of nuclear energy". The diplomat said Uruguayan officials had shown interest in a floating nuclear power plant, when the project's presentation took place at the Russian Embassy recently. The first floating plant will have capacity of 70 MW of electricity, and about 300 MW of thermal power. The cost of the first plant is estimated at US$400 million, but could later be reduced to $240 million. This year marks the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Uruguay.
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Serbia | 1950 |
Both countries have established diplomatic relations in September 1950.[137] A number of bilateral agreements in various fields have been concluded and are in force between both countries.[138]
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Spain | 19 July 1870 | See Spain–Uruguay relations
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Sweden | See Sweden–Uruguay relations
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Switzerland | 1828 | See Switzerland–Uruguay relations
Both countries share a long history of mutual economic relations, and they established diplomatic relations in 1828.[141] In the twentieth century, Uruguay has looked to Switzerland as a model for government, historical and cultural ties go back to at least the nineteenth century.[142] There are 956 people with Swiss passports residing in Uruguay in 2009. Uruguay was described as the "Switzerland of the Americas" in a 1951 New York Times article for its popularity as a haven for capital fleeing Europe at the time and its adoption of Swiss-inspired banking laws. Thomas J. Knight also wrote that "Uruguay has for most of its history been the 'Switzerland' of South America."[143]
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Ukraine |
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United Kingdom | 1825 | See United Kingdom–Uruguay relations
Uruguay established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom in 1825.
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[146] the International Criminal Court, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have an Investment Agreement.[147] |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Australia | See Australia–Uruguay relations
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Fiji |
| |
New Zealand |
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Switzerland and Uruguay feature relatively stable and reliable democracies. And both countries share a long history of mutual economic relations. ... This Swiss settlement was soon to become known for the exceptional quality of its cheese and other dairy products. As transport developed, the farmers began selling their products on an unprecedented scale, notably to Argentina and even to Switzerland. ... Uruguay and Switzerland laid down the cornerstone of their cooperation in 1938: The two countries signed a trade agreement aimed to enhance commercial cooperation. And in 1991, an agreement on the mutual protection of investments became effective.
Switzerland and republican Austria have not been colonial powers, but some attention should be paid to the case of Uruguay for which Swiss democracy served ...
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