FROM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STARE
The United States established diplomatic relations with Uruguay in 1867, which became an independent state following the 1828 dissolution of its federation with Argentina. The relationship between the United States and Uruguay is strong. The two countries share important values, including a commitment to democracy, rule of law, sound economic policies, strong labor rights, environmental protection, investment in people, the desire to see the peaceful resolution of disputes between nations, and a commitment to the multilateral system.
Uruguay is a constructive partner that plays an important role in promoting regional stability and democracy. The country often serves as a consensus builder and mediator in international contexts. It is a partner in conflict resolution, contributing to peacekeeping missions worldwide. Uruguay has been one of the top troop and police contributors per capita to United Nations (UN) peacekeeping overall. The United States values Uruguay's contributions to improving security in Haiti as well as in other difficult locations throughout the world.
U.S. Assistance to Uruguay
U.S. assistance to Uruguay encourages constructive Uruguayan engagement in international affairs and improves Uruguay’s ability to combat terrorism and international crime. U.S. assistance strengthens and maintains the Uruguayan military's peacekeeping and disaster response capabilities. U.S. assistance also promotes increased cooperation in law enforcement and in the fight against terrorism and illegal trafficking of persons, materials, and drugs.
Bilateral Economic Relations
The U.S.-Uruguay Joint Commission on Trade and Investment has focused on six areas: customs issues, intellectual property protection, investment, labor, environment, and trade in goods. The two countries have signed an Open Skies Agreement, a bilateral investment treaty, a trade and investment framework agreement, a science and technology agreement, and a memorandum of understanding on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
U.S. exports to Uruguay include machinery, perfumes/cosmetics, toys and sports equipment, oil, and agricultural products. U.S. imports from Uruguay include beef, prepared meat, dairy, eggs, honey, and hides and skins. About 100 U.S.-owned companies operate in Uruguay, and many more market U.S. goods and services.
Uruguay's Membership in International Organizations
Uruguay and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Organization of American States, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.
Photo: Uraguay/Argentina. From: CIA World Factbook. The Rio de la Plata is the brown, rather short, sediment-filled river in the center of the image. It is the widest river in the world, ranging from around 40 km (25 mi) in width near Buenos Aires, to approximately 220 km (140 mi) near its mouth. As its water mixes with clearer ocean water, it creates swirls and cloudy formations. Visible in this image (in gray) is Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, located inland near the head of the river. Montevideo, Uruguay's capital, is located downstream on the opposite side of the Rio de la Plata (and also appears gray). Photo: NASA.
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEPanetta: Western Hemisphere Nations Face Threats in Common
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
PUNTA DEL ESTE, Uruguay, Oct. 8, 2012 – Nations of the Western Hemisphere are a family sharing many of the same threats that confront them across borders and oceans, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said here today.
Panetta spoke at the plenary session of the 10th Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas. The themes of the conference include defense and security, peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The secretary called these themes a central part of efforts to enhance regional security and increase cooperation between military forces in the hemisphere.
"Over the last two decades, our people, our economies, our cultures and our values have become even more connected, not just because we are neighbors but because we are one family in this hemisphere," Panetta told participants from many nations.
"We have seen a remarkable transformation in defense collaboration in this hemisphere," he added.
"All of you, representing the nations of this hemisphere, are contributing more and more capabilities to meet our collective defense responsibilities in the 21st century," the secretary said.
Last week, Panetta released the Western Hemisphere Defense Policy Statement, a framework for implementing the new U.S. defense strategy across Latin America.
In the Western Hemisphere, according to the new policy, the United States will reinvigorate its defense partnerships and pursue new ones, consistent with President Barack Obama’s approach to the region, the secretary said.
The statement’s three objectives include promoting the following:
- Strong national government institutions that allow all nations in the region to address legitimate threats to the state and their citizens.
- Shared action against shared threats through more effectively and efficiently coordinating defense forces.
- Multilateral mechanisms and institutions, like the current conference and the Inter-American Defense Board, to achieve consensus on the direction of hemispheric defense collaboration.
"On the issues of defense and security, the United States recognizes that it is sometimes difficult to determine whether transnational threats to peace and stability are matters of defense or law enforcement," Panetta said.
In some cases, he added, countries have turned to their defense forces to support civilian authorities.
"To be clear, the use of the military to perform civil law enforcement cannot be a long-term solution," the secretary said. "But as partners, the United States will do what we can to bridge the capability gaps between armed forces and law enforcement."
The United States is committed to do so in a manner respectful of human rights, the rule of law and civilian authority, he added.
"We can and we will provide a helping hand, but ultimately civilian authorities must be able to shoulder this burden on their own," he said.
On humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the United States supports the Chilean initiative to accelerate and coordinate support for civilian-led relief efforts, Panetta said.
Nations of the hemisphere have faced earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and fires that have destroyed lives and property, he added, and they must work together to provide immediate, comprehensive and organized relief to their citizens.
The Chilean initiative facilitates a rapid and fully integrated response to disasters, the secretary noted, adding that "we should implement that initiative now so that we’re ready to respond quickly and effectively when the next disaster strikes."
On peacekeeping, countries in the Western Hemisphere have assumed an impressive leadership role by engaging, addressing and improving United Nations peacekeeping, Panetta said.
"Since the turn of the 21st century, 13 countries from this hemisphere have contributed to or led multinational security operations and U.N. peacekeeping missions around the globe," he added. These included part of the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti, composed mainly of Western Hemisphere nations working side by side to accomplish their mission.
In a new era of defense cooperation in the hemisphere, Panetta said, "Our goal is to work with those nations that want us to help them to develop their capabilities so that they can defend and secure themselves. Our interest is to work with you, not against you."
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEU.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta Arrives In Parguay.
Panetta: Western Hemisphere Nations Face Threats in Common
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
PUNTA DEL ESTE, Uruguay, Oct. 8, 2012 - Nations of the Western Hemisphere are a family sharing many of the same threats that confront them across borders and oceans, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said here today.
Panetta spoke at the plenary session of the 10th Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas. The themes of the conference include defense and security, peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The secretary called these themes a central part of efforts to enhance regional security and increase cooperation between military forces in the hemisphere.
"Over the last two decades, our people, our economies, our cultures and our values have become even more connected, not just because we are neighbors but because we are one family in this hemisphere," Panetta told participants from many nations.
"We have seen a remarkable transformation in defense collaboration in this hemisphere," he added.
"All of you, representing the nations of this hemisphere, are contributing more and more capabilities to meet our collective defense responsibilities in the 21st century," the secretary said.
Last week, Panetta released the Western Hemisphere Defense Policy Statement, a framework for implementing the new U.S. defense strategy across Latin America.
In the Western Hemisphere, according to the new policy, the United States will reinvigorate its defense partnerships and pursue new ones, consistent with President Barack Obama's approach to the region, the secretary said.
The statement's three objectives include promoting the following:
- Strong national government institutions that allow all nations in the region to address legitimate threats to the state and their citizens.
- Shared action against shared threats through more effectively and efficiently coordinating defense forces.
- Multilateral mechanisms and institutions, like the current conference and the Inter-American Defense Board, to achieve consensus on the direction of hemispheric defense collaboration.
"On the issues of defense and security, the United States recognizes that it is sometimes difficult to determine whether transnational threats to peace and stability are matters of defense or law enforcement," Panetta said.
In some cases, he added, countries have turned to their defense forces to support civilian authorities.
"To be clear, the use of the military to perform civil law enforcement cannot be a long-term solution," the secretary said. "But as partners, the United States will do what we can to bridge the capability gaps between armed forces and law enforcement."
The United States is committed to do so in a manner respectful of human rights, the rule of law and civilian authority, he added.
"We can and we will provide a helping hand, but ultimately civilian authorities must be able to shoulder this burden on their own," he said.
On humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the United States supports the Chilean initiative to accelerate and coordinate support for civilian-led relief efforts, Panetta said.
Nations of the hemisphere have faced earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and fires that have destroyed lives and property, he added, and they must work together to provide immediate, comprehensive and organized relief to their citizens.
The Chilean initiative facilitates a rapid and fully integrated response to disasters, the secretary noted, adding that "we should implement that initiative now so that we're ready to respond quickly and effectively when the next disaster strikes."
On peacekeeping, countries in the Western Hemisphere have assumed an impressive leadership role by engaging, addressing and improving United Nations peacekeeping, Panetta said.
"Since the turn of the 21st century, 13 countries from this hemisphere have contributed to or led multinational security operations and U.N. peacekeeping missions around the globe," he added. These included part of the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti, composed mainly of Western Hemisphere nations working side by side to accomplish their mission.
In a new era of defense cooperation in the hemisphere, Panetta said, "Our goal is to work with those nations that want us to help them to develop their capabilities so that they can defend and secure themselves. Our interest is to work with you, not against you."
FROM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STARE
