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27-10-2023
MONEY waterway> Paraguay> OAS
CONTROVERSY OVER THE TOLL
Hidrovía: Paraguay goes to the OAS against Argentina
The president of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, once again insisted on the claim for the toll on the Paraná waterway before an international organization. This time, the OAS.
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Santiago Peña took his claim against Argentina to the OAS for the collection of tolls on the waterway.
The president of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, insisted on his country's claim for the collection of tolls on the Paraná waterway before the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS), an organization that continues to be chaired by the Uruguayan Luis Almagro. Relations between Argentina and Paraguay over the Waterway toll had improved due to an agreement between members of Mercosur. It is worth remembering that on September 28, both countries established a period of 60 days for negotiation, which contemplates the formation of a commission of experts to evaluate the distribution of investments for carrying out works on the waterway and the global experience in toll collection. for the navigability of the rivers. However, the president of the neighboring country, Santiago Peña, has now decided to increase the pressure and go out to find more international allies through diplomatic channels. Furthermore, he would reiterate his demand at the meeting of Mercosur presidents, scheduled for next December 6 in Brazil.
At the OAS headquarters in Washington, Peña maintained that "our Mediterranean nature makes the fight for these values inexcusable and a matter of State; foreign trade is key as it is a source of job creation." And he added:
Paraguay is one of the most open countries to trade, but it must be free of restrictions and with a cooperative approach, without impositions of unfair unilateral measures.
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Relations between Argentina and Paraguay due to the Waterway toll had improved, but Santiago Peña decided to increase the tension...
In this framework, he described the relationship with “the brother country of Argentina” as “temporary dissent” and was optimistic about the resolution of the conflict:
Just as in the past that noble country welcomed so many illustrious Paraguayans, I am sure that its authorities will understand the importance of free navigability, and soon we will be in the understanding that characterized our history
On the other hand, he anticipated one of his proposals for the Mercosur summit: the construction of an intercontinental highway. “A great highway of 3,200 kilometers, the largest integration project in the Americas and the possibility of generating tremendous development in the coming years,” he explained.