Uruguay’s involvement in the upcoming BRICS summit is uncertain as President Lula invites countries like Uruguay to participate. Although progress is being made toward Uruguay’s accession to the NDB of BRICS, President Orsi downplayed these developments. Meanwhile, the Uruguayan government aims to maintain good relations with the United States, contrasting with its potential connections to BRICS.
During the inauguration of the new Uruguayan president, Lula of Brazil extended an invitation for countries including Uruguay, Colombia, and Mexico to engage in the upcoming BRICS summit in Brazil. Lula emphasized the significance of these nations’ participation even as non-member entities, highlighting the necessity of global debates. He stated, “It is important that at this BRICS summit we really strengthen two fundamental things. Let’s strengthen multilateralism and let’s strengthen free trade.” Amidst this, he remarked on the substantial influence of BRICS, which encompasses nearly half of the world’s population and GDP, and includes major economies like China and India.
In late December, President Yamandu Orsi of Uruguay met with Dilma Rousseff, the president of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB). Rousseff indicated that Uruguay’s process of joining the NDB was nearing completion, pending approval from various institutional bodies within Uruguay, particularly Parliament. However, Orsi appeared to downplay the implications of this development, asserting that it does not equate to Uruguay joining BRICS and emphasized the country’s historical integration with other mechanisms.
Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin articulated the Uruguayan government’s intention to maintain positive relations with the United States, whose administration displays skepticism towards the BRICS bloc. This stance reflects Uruguay’s cautious approach to navigating its international relations and alliances, alongside its potential connection with BRICS institutions.
In summary, Uruguay’s participation in the BRICS summit remains in a state of uncertainty with an emphasis on the significance of strengthening multilateralism and free trade. While discussions about joining the NDB are progressing, the Uruguayan government seeks to balance its interests amidst potential US opposition to the BRICS alliance. Thus, Uruguay’s future engagement with BRICS and its institutions appears to be a multifaceted consideration.
Original Source: www.plenglish.com
