Morel made a positive evaluation of his trip to Brazil
A few hours after his return to the country, the Mayor of Cerro Largo took stock of his trip to Brazil on behalf of the National Congress of Mayors.
He shared several moments with the Communal Chiefs of Montevideo and Canelones, the latter department being the one chosen to host the Merco Cities Meeting next year.
“First we have to see how positive it is to have had the honor of having represented the Congress of Mayors in a Merco Cities of Latin America Meeting. Then we accompanied our colleague Francisco Legnani for Canelones’ application to host this same meeting in 2026, where he will assume the Presidency of the organization. We were also talking and sharing one of the days with the Mayor of Montevideo Mario Bergara who attended as a form of support” commented Christian Morel to THE PROFESSIONAL Radio.
“Honestly, I perceived a part of a lot of theory and little practice. In any case, I am going to internalize myself more after having seen the policies that were discussed. Obviously we were talking with Legnani so that there is a change in the landing of different Merco Cities policies in different places” posed the Mayor of Cerro Largo.
This international organization is currently made up of more than 300 Municipalities. “Being there sharing the reality of each one of them was very important” said.
“Personally, I felt like a Mayor again seeing the reality of each of the cities. I was able to tell my experience because I was one of the panelists for the simple reason of being a governor as they say in Brazil or Argentina who was present, telling them the reality by telling them that I already knew how to be Mayor and today I am on the other side of the counter” he stated. “Everyone’s problems are the same, with the difference that today I have to worry about the problems of all my colleagues from all the cities. These exchanges in that sense are very good, a very nice experience for me and one that I did not imagine so soon” he stated.
The travel expenses were covered by the National Congress of Mayors. “Merco Cities handles important money. So that everyone has an idea, they have an account statement with USD 200,000 in cash. They took care of the accommodation for 4 nights and the transfers” He reported while highlighting the logistical deployment, with a vehicle permanently available to the guests. “They are at another level, they move other numbers. Niteroi, a city of 400 inhabitants, was the capital of this Meeting. Practically all the digital signage was continuously welcoming all the visitors. There were various shows based on showing the offer of that city. It was a nice experience” expressed the Mayor of Cerro Largo.
In addition to Morel, Legnani and Bergara, representatives from Lavalleja and Tacuarembó attended as well as the Mayors of Paso de los Toros and Minas de Corrales. “Paso de los Toros belongs to Merco Cities. I am going to try to get some Municipality of Cerro Largo to integrate it as well” advertisement.
“I have known the two Mayors since I was one in Rio Branco, the contact and the link that we have made with the Mayors of Canelones and Montevideo has been very important for me. They are two people with a lot of experience: Mario for having been in the places he was and Francisco for having been General Secretary of Orsi for 10 years. They have been very friendly people for me, which I highlight because they are both from another Party” remarked Christian Morel.
