In the LXV Mercosur Summit and Associated Countriesthe president of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou, highlighted the transcendence of the event and importance to advance agreements between countries in a global context where the knowledge it doubles every three years. His speech focused on a criticism of the delays in the negotiations, which sometimes extend decades.
“I have children of 18 and 20 years old and when they find out that an agreement has taken 25 years of negotiation, they cannot understand it,” explained Lacalle Pou, who asked the leaders to reflect on the time gap between contemporary challenges and effectiveness of the negotiations.
The president stressed that the sum of failed agreements and disagreements does not generate trust between member countries. However, he expressed his optimism regarding the summit, pointing out that it was not just a commercial exchange —although that is also an important aspect—. He stressed that for the small economies that are part of Mercosur, there are deeper and more significant ties with the European Union that must be valued and understood.
“Humanity can improve”: Lacalle Pou calls to put conflicts aside
Lacalle Pou highlighted the reactions of other leaders present at the summit, mentioning the words of Santiago Penawho, although he was not completely satisfied, did express his excitement for the moment. Furthermore, he cited Lulawho proclaimed that the day was historicalalready Mileiwhich also highlighted the importance of the day. This, according to Lacalle Pou, emphasizes that an agreement of this type should not be considered a magic solutionbut a chance which depends on the will and commitment of all those involved to advance the negotiation with the EU.
The Uruguayan president wanted to emphasize the ideological diversity that exists within Mercosur, recognizing that this can lead to nuances and differences in the discussion of some issues. “It is evident that if we put certain issues on the table, we will surely have disagreements. We all know how easy it is to destroy and how difficult it is build”, he reflected, calling on leaders to assume their responsibility in building a joint future.
Using the metaphor of being “parents of a big family,” Lacalle Pou urged leaders to put aside disagreements and focus on the virtues of cooperationunions and agreements between nations. “This vindicates the service vocation and the best policy,” he said, arguing that we must look forwardstowards what will come, and not only towards the present.
Finally, the president concluded his speech by calling for the need to evolve in a world convulsedwhere negative information about conflicts predominates in the media. He recognized that, although images of conflict tend to attract more attention, they should not define the vision we have of humanity, which essentially has the capacity to improve. “Everything depends on each of us in our positions,” concluded Lacalle Pou, urging the region’s leaders to work together to build a future of peace and cooperation.
