Comment by the Information and Press Department on Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship Jorge Faurie’s visit to the Russian Federation
On November 16, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of the Argentine Republic Jorge Faurie, during which it is planned to discuss issues related to further developing the system of ties between Russia and Argentina, consolidating the political dialogue, building up bilateral trade and economic as well as cultural and humanitarian cooperation, and expanding interaction in international and regional affairs.
Sergey Lavrov and Jorge Faurie will consider current global issues including joint steps to promote the central, coordinating role of the United Nations in world affairs, multilateral diplomacy, the supremacy of international law, and cooperation in the fight against new challenges and threats. It is planned to discuss opportunities for building up Russian-Argentine international cooperation, including at the UN, WTO, and G20 which Argentina will chair in 2018.
Relations between Russia and Argentina are marked by a high level of political mutual understanding, characterised by the commonality or proximity of their positions on many international issues. The two countries are united by their common striving towards building a just and democratic multilateral world order.
The development of relations between Moscow and Buenos Aires is facilitated by the maintenance of top- and high-level political dialogue on a regular basis. During their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China in September 2016, President Vladimir Putin and President Mauricio Macri reaffirmed their countries’ course for a comprehensive strategic partnership. The Plan of Action for pursing this is being implemented.
The two foreign ministries maintain regular contact. Based on the 2016-2018 Plan for Consultations, deputy ministers and the heads of related departments hold detailed exchanges of views.
We regard this visit as an important step forward in implementing our course for promoting versatile relations with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean Basin. We mean to work for closer interaction with Argentina within the leading regional associations, including with the aim of promoting Russia-CELAC and EAEU-MERCOSUR dialogue.
Argentina is one of the leading trade and economic partners of Russia in the Latin American region. Between January and July of 2017, a remarkable 15.3 per cent growth in trade, to $559.8 million, over the same period last year, was noted.
The Intergovernmental Commission for Trade and Economic and Scientific and Technical Cooperation has been effective (a regular meeting took place in November 2016). The two governments are studying opportunities for cooperating on a number of major investment projects in hydroelectric engineering, the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, exploration and peaceful use of outer space, prospecting for and producing mineral resources (natural gas, lithium), and creation of port and logistics infrastructure. A number of Russian companies, including Silovye Mashiny, Inter RAO-Export, Gazprom, and Transmashholding, are interested in cooperating with Argentina. We support the invigoration of dialogue between entrepreneurial councils operating in Russia and Argentina. On November 7-8, 2017, a business mission of the Russia-Argentina Entrepreneurs Council visited Argentina.
We attach much importance to the fact that 7/24 RT Spanish has been broadcasting as part of the Argentine public digital television network since 2014. There are plans to expand information cooperation and reciprocal media presence.
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation is an important area in Russian-Argentine relations. In August 2017, Buenos Aires hosted performances by soloists from the Bolshoi, Mariinsky, and Mikhailovsky theatres, who were touring Argentina.
Argentina has become a “second homeland” for a considerable number of Russians. It is home to tens of thousands of people identifying themselves with the Russian language and culture. On September 25, 2017, Russian Federation Square was ceremoniously opened in Belgrano, a prestigious district of Buenos Aires. The Moscow city administration has decided to create Argentine Republic Gardens in Moscow.
In 2016, the two countries marked the 150th anniversary of the establishment of consular relations. On this occasion, the foreign ministries of Russia and Argentina held exhibits with documents and photographs from their archives.
We expect the Argentine national team to come to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
