On May 18, 2023, Andriy Melnyk, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine held an online meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Nicolás Albertoni. For the first time in the history of bilateral relations, such consultations were held at the level of deputy foreign ministers.

At the outset of the meeting, Andrii Melnyk informed the Uruguayan side about the intention of President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to boost relations of our state with the countries of Latin America. He emphasized a strong impetus that was given by the phone conversation between the Head of Ukrainian State and President of Uruguay Luis Lacalle Pou, which was held in July 2022.

Andrii Melnyk positively noted the clear position of Uruguay in support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. He expressed the gratitude to the Uruguayan colleague for his country’s readiness to keep supporting Ukraine within the U.N. and other international and regional organizations.

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister told Ambassador Nicolás Albertoni about the situation in Ukraine provoked by a full-scale Russian aggression, the heroic struggle of Ukrainian people against aggressor. Andriy Melnyk especially emphasized the key elements of the Peace Formula, proposed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and called on Uruguay to join the implementation of this diplomatic initiative, in particular regarding the creation of a Special Tribunal for the crime of Russian aggression.

On his turn, Nicolás Albertoni reconfirmed the unwavering support by Uruguay for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and expressed solidarity with Ukrainian people suffering from Russian aggression that has negative impact on food and energy security also in the region of Latin America.

The parties expressed mutual interest in deepening the bilateral trade and economic cooperation that was hardly affected by the war of aggression unleashed by Russia. They mentioned IT-sector, agribusiness and tourism as perspective directions of bilateral cooperation.

Deputy Ministers discussed the ways to intensify the political dialogue. In this regard, they agreed to initiate this year the mechanism of regular political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Ukraine and Uruguay. Andrii Melnyk invited his Uruguayan counterpart to visit Ukraine.