Brussels, 04/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - During the visit of Argentina's President Mauricio Macri to Brussels on Monday 4 July, the European Union and Argentina signed three cooperation agreements.
European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica and Argentina's Minister for Foreign Affairs Susana Mabel Malcorra signed a memorandum of understanding on international cooperation, as well as a letter of intention for a dialogue on regional and urban policy. The European Action Service and Argentina's foreign ministry also signed an arrangement for a diplomatic exchange programme.
“This is a very important and positive day for relations between the EU and Argentina”, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said at a press conference with Malcorra - who in turn said the EU was a “strategic partner” for Argentina.
Mogherini underlined the importance of bilateral cooperation, in connection with the future Argentine presidency of the G20 in 2018 and in the global migration crisis, or in the participation of Buenos Aires in the UN peacekeeping missions - with Mogherini announcing the intention of both parties to assess the possibilities for Argentina to participate in the EU crisis management missions.
The EU and Argentina are also cooperating in the spheres of energy, trade, climate change and security, Mogherini added, underling the “key role” Argentina has in progressing the free trade negotiations between the EU and Mercosur.
Mogherini welcomed the intention of the European Investment Bank (EIB) to resume its activities fully in Argentina. “The EIB is an important actor for unblocking very important projects for us”, Malcorra stated. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)