US, Uruguay Agree To Strengthen Trade, Energy Cooperation

Published: 05 Oct 2008 18:20:29 PST

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. and Uruguay agreed Thursday to strengthen ties in trade and energy cooperation, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative said.

Officials from the two countries signed two protocols to their bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, or TIFA, on trade facilitation and public participation in trade and the environment. They also signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The TIFA program, in effect since early 2007, facilitates a deepening of trade relations and can serve as a precursor to a free trade agreement.

-By Tom Barkley, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-9275; tom.barkley@dowjones.com