Vice President Biden called President-elect Tabare Vazquez of Uruguay today to congratulate him on his upcoming March 1^st inauguration as President of Uruguay. The Vice President expressed regret at having to cancel his visit to Uruguay but informed President-elect Vazquez that Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden and U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Michele J. Sison would attend in his stead. The Vice President applauded Uruguay’s active role in international peacekeeping, as well as its principled leadership on regional and global issues. The Vice President also reaffirmed U.S. interest in advancing bilateral economic cooperation and promoting greater collaboration on science and education.