URUGUAY URGES STRONGER ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN ASEAN, MERCOSUR
By Nur Atiq Maisarah Suhaimi
KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Bernama) -- Uruguay’s Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin has called for deeper cooperation between ASEAN and the South American economic bloc, MERCOSUR, emphasising the need to move beyond dialogue and build tangible collaboration between the two regional blocs.
In line with Uruguay’s accession into the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) with ASEAN, Mario said that while discussions between the two regional blocs have been ongoing, a more structured and strategic approach is needed.
MERCOSUR was established in 1991 by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay to foster economic integration and cooperation in the region.
“We need to move beyond dialogue and establish concrete collaboration between ASEAN and MERCOSUR,” he said, noting that there is a growing trend of sub-regional groups seeking to create stronger synergy between our regions.
He said this to Bernama on the sidelines of a bilateral meeting between the Malaysian and Uruguayan foreign ministers, in conjunction with the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings on Wednesday.
With MERCOSUR representing a market of over 300 million people, Lubetkin believes that closer ties with ASEAN could be mutually beneficial, particularly in food security, agriculture and sustainable development.
He also stressed the importance of embracing new regional dynamics in a multipolar world.
“In the past, regions like ASEAN and Latin America didn’t give much thought to working together.
“Now we recognise the need for greater engagement with Asia and Africa -- just as you need stronger ties with Latin America. This is a relatively new realisation, but one that must be translated into tangible outcomes,” he added.
The 58th AMM and Related Meetings, held under Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN chairmanship themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, feature 24 ministerial-level engagements, including sessions with ASEAN Dialogue and Sectoral Dialogue Partners.
The high-level meetings, taking place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from July 8 to 11, have drawn approximately 1,500 delegates.
-- BERNAMA
