United States and Uruguay Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Advance Cooperation on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas A. Shannon and Uruguayan Foreign Minister Gonzalo Fernández today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance bilateral cooperation on renewable energy and energy efficiency. The MOU highlights the fundamental role energy plays in development, and commits both governments to promote exchanges, research and development, and stimulate private sector investment and business collaboration on renewable energy and energy efficiency. The agreement also creates a binational working group that will review energy related issues.

Assistant Secretary Shannon and Foreign Minister Fernández noted that the MOU builds on existing bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, economic development, and science and technology. This includes interaction between U.S. academic institutions and Uruguayan government officials and scientists in the area of biofuels, as well as the support of the U.S. Departments of State and Agriculture for several U.S. biofuels experts to visit Uruguay to promote research opportunities and academic exchanges.

2008/820