Brasília, 4/1/2004 – On April 14, Foreign Minister, Celso Amorim, and the Foreign Minister of Uruguay, Didier Opertti, will meet in the city of Jaguarão, Rio Grande do Sul, to ratify a free movement agreement on the Brazil-Uruguay border. The agreement will benefit some 700,000 people who live in an area up to 20 kilometers from the border. Under the agreement, they will have access to public services such as transportation, schools and jobs provided by the governments of both countries.

According to Amorim, the two countries have drawn up a pioneering agreement which could be extended to other Mercosur members. "We will see if this one works," said Amorim.

The two Foreign ministers will also sign agreements on police and judicial cooperation. And they will set up a joint commission to study a second bridge over the Jaguarão River which joins Jaguarão on the Brazilian side with Rio Branco in Uruguay. The road which goes through Jaguarão and Rio Branco is the shortest route between Porto Alegre and Montevideo.
(Translator: Allen Bennett)