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 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]
DR Congo is accredited to Uruguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Uruguay is accredited to the DR Congo from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
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.
Brazil and Uruguay are neighboring countries that share close historical, cultural and geographical ties. The singularity of the bilateral relationship between the two countries originates from the strong historical connection - marked by important events, such as the establishment of the Colônia do Sacramento in 1680, the annexation by Brazil and the subsequent creation of the Província Cisplatina in 1815, and Uruguay's independence from Brazil in 1828.[109]
The signing of the Treaty of Asunción in 1991 initiated a period of closer political, economical and diplomatic ties.
Canada and Uruguay have a Foreign Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA) which came into force in 1999; a bilateral Social Security Agreement that came into force in January 2002; and a bilateral Audiovisual Co-Production Agreement to encourage joint film productions, which came into force in October 2005.
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.
In 2006 a commercial agreement was celebrated between Pakistan and Mercosur (a trade bloc of which Uruguay is part).[122] There is a Pakistan-Uruguay Chamber of Commerce.[123][124][125] *When war broke out in East Pakistan in 1971, Uruguay initially hesistated to take sides. However, on August 24, 1971, Uruguay recognized Bangladesh (hithero East Pakistan) as an independent state.[126]
In 2007 Montevideo hosted the first 'International Kashmir Conference'. The Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and KashmirSardar Attique Ahmed Khan took part in the event, which was co-organized by the Catholic University of Uruguay.[127][128] Khan met with a number of Uruguayan senators during his stay.[129]
Pakistan is accredited to Uruguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Uruguay is accredited to Pakistan from is embassy in Tehran, Iran.
The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Oriental Republic of Uruguay (Uruguay) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) began on 7 October 1964.
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.
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]
Serbia is accredited to Uruguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Uruguay is accredited to Serbia from its embassy in Bucharest, Romania.
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]
^Severgnini (2021). "Relaciones diplomáticas entre el Imperio del Brasil y el Estado Oriental del Uruguay. Análisis de la primera legación brasileña en Montevideo (1831—1837)". Instituto de Estudios Internacionales–Universidad de Chile (in Spanish): 119.
^Tratados y convenios internacionales: Suscritos por el Uruguay en el período mayo de 1830 a diciembre de 1870 (in Spanish). República Oriental del Uruguay, Cámara de Senadores. 1993. p. 517.
^Tratados y convenios internacionales: Suscritos por el Uruguay en el período mayo de 1830 a diciembre de 1870 (in Spanish). República Oriental del Uruguay, Cámara de Senadores. 1993. p. 505.
^"Uruguay-Dinamarca". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 August 2019.
^Tratados y convenios internacionales: Suscritos por el Uruguay en el período mayo de 1830 a diciembre de 1870 (in Spanish). República Oriental del Uruguay, Cámara de Senadores. 1993. p. 513.
^Annales parlementaires de Belgique: 1853/54, Nov. - Jan (in French). Belgique Chambre des Représentants. 1854. p. 198.
^Tratados y convenios internacionales: Suscritos por el Uruguay en el período mayo de 1830 a diciembre de 1870 (in Spanish). República Oriental del Uruguay, Cámara de Senadores. 1993. p. 545.
^Libro amarillo correspondiente al año ...: presentado al Congreso Nacional en sus sesiones ordinarias de ... por el titular despacho (in Spanish). Venezuela. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. 2003. pp. 528–529.
^Almanach de Gotha (in French). Gotha, Germany : Justus Perthes. 1898. p. 1334.
^"Uruguay and Switzerland — cultural and economic Benefits from new Market opportunities". Mercosur. Archived from the original on 2011-10-02. Retrieved 2009-05-14. 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.
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