The Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Sir Alan Duncan, visited Argentina on 12 and 13 September in order to meet with Argentine authorities and attend the Business and Investment Forum organized by the Argentine government.
The Argentine Foreign Minister, Susana Malcorra, met Sir Alan Duncan on his first official mission abroad less than 2 months after having taken up his position as Minister of State.
The visit of Sir Alan Duncan reflects the improving relations between the United Kingdom and Argentina. During the visit, both sides agreed to put emphasis on the positive bilateral agenda with the objective to establish ever closer bilateral ties, as well as to develop links and firm cooperation to the benefit of the people of both countries.
Deputy Foreign Minister Foradori and Minister Duncan held a work meeting where the main themes of the bilateral agenda, which are detailed below, were reviewed.
The bilateral meeting was held so both officials could continue to develop a comprehensive, multi-dimensional and multi-sector agenda based on the complementarity between both nations, focused on the strengthening of the bilateral relationship and on the search for solutions to global problems within the relevant multilateral fora.
High-level political consultations
It was agreed to work together to identify new areas of collaboration and, in that context, to reactivate the High-Level Political Bilateral Consultations initiated in 2002, which are based on comprehensive themes and held annually.
These Political Consultations will seek to deepen the bilateral relationship around a positive agenda that addresses global challenges in the medium and long term, in areas such as democracy, human rights, cooperation in international peace and security, non-proliferation, environment and climate change, clean/green energy, trade and investment, science, technology and innovation, tourism and sport.
Deputy Foreign Minister Foradori and Minister Duncan agreed to set up and institutionalize a mechanism for dialogue and strategic reflection so as to approach a future bilateral relationship on the basis of strengthening common values, interests and principles. The work of this mechanism will be taken forward by the respective teams in formal annual meetings.
Highlighted areas were the joint work in terms of the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; the possibilities of working at a multilateral level in the fight against organized crime; the scourge of drug trafficking and terrorism; the possibilities of cooperation to comply with contributions of the Treaty of Paris within the framework of the UN Convention on Climate Change; the parliamentary bilateral work through ‘friendship groups’ established by both countries, and multilateral work within the framework of the International Parliamentary Union, and collaboration between regional governments, provinces and cities, in addition to cultural and educational exchanges.
Fight against corruption and organized crime
The Argentine and the UK’s commitment in the area of global anti-corruption was reaffirmed. The UK thanked Argentina for its constant support against organized crime, particularly in the area of narco-trafficking, human trafficking and money laundering. The UK praised the efforts of Argentina to confront corruption and build confidence in the regulatory system pointing to its economic reform programme. The UK offered assistance to tackle corruption, promote transparency and support open government practices.
Science and technology, human rights and gender issues
Opportunities were analyzed for cooperation in science and technology, innovation, human resources development and training in manufacturing sectors, human rights and the question of gender issues.
On the subject of Science and Technology, it was agreed that Argentina and the UK have strong, historic ties. Both parties welcomed the increase in bilateral links, including the creation of potential areas for scientific exchange, such as agri-technology, advanced materials and nanotechnology, ICT, life sciences and the development of opportunities for students via the Bec.ar scholarship programme in collaboration with British universities and CONICET (the Argentine National Scientific and Technical Research Council), collaborating with the Royal Society. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to a bilateral scientific dialogue at the ministerial level.
Additionally, areas of possible cooperation were evaluated in the matter of Antarctica, including exchanges, joint work and agreements between scientific programmes of the Argentine Antarctic Institute (IAA) and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), as well as the development of joint scientific activities in the area of the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
Arts, culture, education and sport
It was recognized that Argentina and the UK share strong and lasting cultural links. In this spirit of cooperation and friendship, both countries agreed to strengthen these links and to continue to identify new areas of collaboration. An increase in student exchanges was welcomed, including the recent increase in Chevening scholarships and the British Council’s offer to Argentina to promote teaching programmes in English and Welsh. The UK highlights Argentina’s organization of the 3rd World Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in 2018 and offers to share British knowledge and expertise obtained during the organization of large-scale events.
Trade and investment
It was highlighted that Argentina and the UK have agreed to work to significantly increase bilateral trade, as demonstrated by the recent visits focused on trade and assistance to companies and investments in order to capitalize on commercial and investment opportunities, which includes sharing advice and experience in Public Private Partnerships.
Both countries committed to working jointly to strengthen cooperation between governments and the private sector in the area of investments, promoting foreign direct investment in both directions and developing commercial links. Additionally, they resolved to identify investment opportunities in each country with a particular focus on areas such as infrastructure, energy and mining. The UK welcomed the initiative of President Macri for organizing the Business and Investment Forum, attended by more than a thousand representatives of local and foreign companies, including, amongst others, the British companies BP, BT, HSBC and GSK.
G20
The wish was expressed to continue to collaborate actively with the efforts shown at the G20, welcoming the election of Argentina to chair the group in 2018. Both countries agreed that they will work together –including wider cooperation in international fora such as the G20– to promote economic dialogue and increase trade, investment and innovation between the two nations.
OECD
The UK supports the Argentine aspiration for a closer relationship with the Organization for Cooperation and Economic Development (OECD) and offers its advice and experience to help implement the reforms needed to meet membership requirements.
International security and defence
Both parties agreed that, in order to confront the threats to international peace and security, closer international cooperation and coordination is required. Both countries are exploring opportunities to widen their fields of cooperation. The visit to the UK by the ARA Libertad training ship was welcomed. Both parties agreed to strengthen relations between the two armed forces. The UK welcomes Argentina’s commitment to the maintenance of international peace and security via its support for United Nations peacekeeping operations. In this regard, mention was made of the significant cooperation achieved by the Argentine and British contingents in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP), and the results of the UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial meeting that took place in London on 7 to 8 September were considered.
Refugee crisis
The UK praised the Argentine government’s decision to establish a programme to take in 3,000 Syrian refugees, stressing the shared, global responsibility to cooperate in the resolution of the problem, including financial assistance from the international community.
South Atlantic
In a positive spirit, both sides agreed to set up a dialogue to improve cooperation on South Atlantic issues of mutual interest. Both governments agreed that the formula on sovereignty in paragraph 2 of the Joint Statement of 19 October 1989 applies to this Joint Communiqué and to its consequences. In this context, it was agreed to take appropriate measures to remove all obstacles limiting the economic growth and sustainable development of the Malvinas Islands, including in terms of trade, fishing, shipping and hydrocarbons. Both parties emphasized the benefits of cooperation and positive engagement for all concerned.
In accordance with the principles set out in the 14 July 1999 Joint Statement and Exchange of Letters, both sides agreed that further air links between the Malvinas Islands and third countries would be established. In this context, they agreed on the establishment of two additional stops per month in mainland Argentina, one in each direction. The specific details will be defined.
Both delegations expressed their full support for a DNA identification process in respect of unknown Argentine soldiers buried in the Darwin cemetery. Discussions on this sensitive humanitarian issue will be taken forward in Geneva on the basis of an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) assessment, supplemented by bilateral discussions as required. Both sides agreed that the wishes of the families concerned were paramount.
Both sides agreed to establish a date for a fuller meeting as soon as possible.