Bolivia, Uruguay sign deal

Bolivia: Bolivia will gain access to the Atlantic Ocean through Uruguayan ports while an agreement was reached to export natural gas to Montevideo, a joint statement said on Saturday.

The document was signed by Bolivian President Evo Morales and his Uruguayan peer Jose Mujica, who is on a state visit to Bolivia.

The text, signed at Cochabamba Hotel in the presence of members of cabinets from both countries, also emphasises the development of the Paraguay-Parana Hydroway to strengthen bilateral and regional trade. That road is strategic in the fluvial transportation along the Paraguay-Parana river system, in a stretch from Puerto Caceres (Brazil) in the north to Nueva Palmira Port (Uruguay) in the south.

Technical committees are expected to consider the advisability to prepare the Montevideo and Nueva Palmira ports for the transportation of goods from-and-to-Bolivia, according to the text.

With regard to energy cooperation, they also agreed for the sale of volumes of Bolivian natural gas to Uruguay.

Cochabamba, Bolivia, Prensa Latina