Embassy of Uruguay in Canada

The Embassy of Uruguay in Canada commemorated the 201st anniversary of Uruguay’s Declaration of Independence with an official reception held on August 25 at the Ambassador’s Residence in Ottawa.

The event brought together approximately 168 guests, including 31 Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Canada, more than twenty other members of the Diplomatic Corps, Canadian authorities and officials, representatives of public institutions and the academic, cultural, business, and community sectors, as well as members of the Uruguayan community residing in Canada.

The Uruguayan community was represented, among others, by the Consuls General of Uruguay in Montreal and Toronto, representatives of the Uruguayan Consultative Council of the Greater Montreal Region, and Uruguayans residing in Ottawa and Gatineau.

In his remarks, the Ambassador of Uruguay to Canada, Gustavo Álvarez Goyoaga, highlighted Uruguay’s institutional strength and its commitment to democracy, the rule of law, human rights, multilateralism, and the rules-based international order, underscoring the affinity between Uruguay and Canada in these areas.

The Ambassador also referred to the dynamism of the bilateral agenda, highlighting the evolution of trade between the two countries, the new Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters, the modernization of the Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments, the negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between MERCOSUR and Canada, and Uruguay’s accession process to the CPTPP.

Speaking on behalf of the Government of Canada was Steve Jaltema, Director for Brazil and the Southern Cone at Global Affairs Canada and Acting Director General for South America and Hemispheric Affairs. Also in attendance were Lindsey Partridge, Canada’s Ambassador-designate to Uruguay; Marie-Eve Blais, responsible for Uruguay at Global Affairs Canada; and other officials from Global Affairs Canada.

The remarks highlighted a bilateral relationship founded on shared values, friendship, trust, and mutual respect, as well as the opportunities to continue deepening cooperation, trade, investment, and exchanges between the two societies.

The commemoration also provided an opportunity to highlight the contribution of the Uruguayan community residing in Canada as a permanent bridge between the two countries and to reaffirm Uruguay and Canada’s commitment to the continued strengthening of their bilateral relations.