Frigerio works with Uruguay to avoid conflicts over green hydrogen

The governor of Entre Ríos, Rogelio Frigerio, and the president of Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi, agreed on the need to prevent the debate over the installation of a green hydrogen plant in Paysandú from leading to a conflict between both nations.

"The Uruguay River unites us, it doesn't separate us. That can't be questioned," stated Frigerio, emphasizing the importance of preserving dialogue.

Both leaders stressed that a diplomatic crisis like the one faced by Argentina and Uruguay in the first decade of the 2000s due to the installation of the Botnia pulp mill (now UPM) in Fray Bentos should not be repeated.

A necessary dialogue to avoid tensions

The meeting took place in Montevideo, where Frigerio was received by Orsi and the Uruguayan Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin. The main topic of the meeting was the installation of the HIF Global plant on the eastern bank of the Uruguay River, opposite the city of Colón in Entre Ríos.

The community of Colón has expressed its concern about the environmental impact of the project and its potential effect on tourism, the main economic activity in the area.

"There is a request from Colón that this development of a novel energy source doesn't compete with the city's main work matrix, which is tourism," explained Frigerio.

In response to this concern, Orsi assured that the issue will be discussed with all parties involved, highlighting his government's willingness to engage in dialogue.

Learning from the past: the commitment to avoid blockades

Foreign Minister Lubetkin emphasized the need to maintain a cooperative approach between Argentina and Uruguay to manage projects involving the Uruguay River.

"Let what happened with the bridges never happen again," he stated at a press conference, referring to the blockades that for months blocked the border crossings between Entre Ríos and Uruguay in the conflict over the Botnia pulp mill.

Both governments committed to ensuring that the plant in Paysandú respects criteria of complementarity, development, and environmental sustainability.

"When the words are complementarity and cooperation, we are all going to win," summarized Lubetkin.

More cooperation between Entre Ríos and Uruguay

In addition to the green hydrogen plant issue, Frigerio and Orsi agreed to advance strategic projects for the region, including:

• Dredging of the Uruguay River, to improve navigability.
• Projection of a deep-water port in Soriano.
• Strengthening of the waterway, key for regional trade.

These developments would benefit trade in Paraguay, northern Argentina, and the Uruguayan coast, boosting economic integration between both countries.

"We are in a dynamic process of articulation so that there is no fear that could affect work, economic development, or tourism," concluded the Uruguayan Foreign Minister.