Malcorra: “A partnership with Norway is an excellent opportunity”

Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra received her Norwegian counterpart, Børge Brende, at the Palacio San Martin. During a press conference, the Argentine Foreign Minister highlighted the historical relationship between both countries. “We are trying to  enhance bilateral and multilateral political dialogue and strengthen economic and trade ties and investment opportunities. A partnership with Norway is an excellent opportunity looking forward”.

Malcorra also highlighted “the infrastructure investment plan launched by the Argentine Government and the importance of the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Norway for investments in the Argentine market. This can promote Norway’s direct investments in Argentina and exchange flows between both countries.”

“Our agenda is focused on Argentina’s insertion into the world, which is seen as an opportunity that also presents challenges. We are working to meet these challenges by seeking to establish bilateral relations with all countries in order to maximize opportunities and create jobs for the Argentine people,” said Malcorra.

Brexit

With regard to the triumph of Brexit in the United Kingdom, Susana Malcorra stated that Norway and Argentina must strengthen their bilateral relations, that Argentina must work from Mercosur to enhance dialogue, and that both countries must explore the possibility of moving forward with a free trade agreement while negotiations between both blocs continue.

Spain

The Argentine Foreign Minister confirmed that she will meet with her Spanish counterpart, José Manuel García-Margallo. With regard to the elections held last Sunday, she said that “the Spanish people have given strong support to traditional parties and, as a result, the PP (Popular Party) and the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party) hold a majority. Personally, I think that last Thursday’s events in Great Britain had an impact on the Spanish people, and their vote was conditioned by Brexit. They have decided to place their bets on more traditional models and on ensuring the resolution of certain issues and the stability that both Spain and the European Union need.  There is more certainty after the elections held on Sunday in Spain and that is a positive outcome.”

President Macri’s international agenda

“We have a very busy agenda for the coming days. Today he is participating as a special guest at the Pacific Alliance Summit, where he will meet with the four Presidents who make up the Alliance and Costa Rica’s President. This meeting and President Macri’s approach to the business sector will be of great importance. On Saturday, he will meet with French President François Hollande. Their conversation will be tinged with the recent events in the United Kingdom, but we wish to strongly focus on promoting the conclusion of and progress on an agreement between Mercosur and the European Union. We believe this is a particularly appropriate time to do it. Likewise, he will hold a bilateral meeting in Brussels within the framework of his visit to the European Union. After that, President Macri will visit Berlin,” added Malcorra.

The Argentine Foreign Minister stated that “the President is carefully planning his trips because he has a busy domestic agenda that he needs to attend to and prioritize. Furthermore, we will have a considerable number of visits here, as bilateral meetings can be planned to flow in both directions.”

Press release No. 205/16

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