MERCOSUR and Spain's AECID sign four-year cooperation memorandum in Montevideo

MERCOSUR and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) signed a memorandum of understanding on 10 June at the bloc's secretariat headquarters in Montevideo, restoring a formal cooperation framework between the South American bloc and Spain's development arm. The four-year instrument provides for knowledge generation and exchange based on good practices, inputs and tools on matters of reciprocal interest, and technical and/or financial support, along with seminars, workshops, conferences, publications and training programmes.

Paraguay's ambassador to Uruguay and MERCOSUR, Didier Olmedo, said cooperation grounded in "dialogue, mutual trust, and respect for each party's priorities" is a fundamental tool for addressing common challenges and building shared opportunities. Spain's ambassador to Uruguay, Javier Salido Ortiz, called the signing a moment of rapprochement between MERCOSUR and Europe extending "far beyond trade." Argentina's ambassador Alan Beraud recalled that AECID has partnered with the bloc since a first memorandum in 2008, participating in nine joint projects, while Brazil's ambassador Antonio Simões noted the signing process concluded during Brazil's pro tempore presidency in December 2025 and said the framework will expand MERCOSUR's capacity to obtain resources, develop joint projects and strengthen its institutions.