President Lennart Meri received Alfredo Cazes, the Ambassador of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay in Estonia, who came to present his credentials, in Kadriorg today.

In his speech at the presentation of his credentials, Ambassador Cazes expressed his hope that the active bilateral co-operation between the two small countries would continue in the future, as it does now in international organisations. Uruguay welcomes Estonia's membership in the World Trade Organisation, and success in the current accession to the European Union. As the Ambassador said, the co-operation between the two countries would in the future also be supported by the agreement concluded last year between the Southern Cone Common Market Mercosur and the European Union. The Ambassador also forwarded the greetings of Julio Maria Sanguinetti, the President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, to the Estonian Head of State and the people of Estonia.

As President Meri said, the appointment of the Ambassador of Uruguay is like a hand reaching out over the ocean, and that co-operation between small countries is important. President Meri also mentioned that in order to develop bilateral relations, Honorary Consuls should be appointed both to Estonia and to Uruguay. When the first agreements between the countries have been concluded, there will be many more opportunities for developing economic relations, the President said when receiving the Ambassador.

On the meeting, the President also mentioned that accession to the European Union and accession to NATO are of equal importance for Estonia, and the President and the Ambassador also discussed the war in Chechnya.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, December 16, 1999

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