Socialist Tabare Vazquez, installed Tuesday as president of Uruguay, announced in his first speech that his foreign policy will give priority to the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR).

Vazquez, a 65-year-old oncologist, delivered his speech before the General Legislative Assembly, after being sworn in as new president of the South American country. He is the first left-wing head of State in Uruguay.

He said his government will place particular importance to MERCOSUR, reject terrorism in all its forms and not tolerate external interventions.

"Since the beginning of our government one thing must be made clear: we will not tolerate external interventions in our internal affairs. The problems of the Uruguayans have to be sorted out by themselves," said Vazquez.

"We will instrument an independent foreign policy and develop relations with the rest of the Latin American countries, without any exception," he added.

In this sense, one of the first measures to be taken by his government will be to resume diplomatic relations with Cuba, local reports said.

MERCOSUR is the economic bloc formed by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay as full members, and Chile and Bolivia as associate states.

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2005)