This past 26 July, the 2nd Meeting of the Consultative Mechanism on Issues of Mutual Interest between the Argentine Republic and the Republic of El Salvador was held at Palacio San Martín. The meeting of 1 June between Presidents Javier Milei and Nayib Bukele and the reactivation of the Consultative Mechanism is clear evidence that the bilateral relationship has become more dynamic over the past few months.
Before the Meeting began, Foreign Minister Mondino held a private meeting with the head of the Salvadoran delegation, Deputy Foreign Minister Adriana Mira, to whom she extended an invitation from President Milei to President Bukele for the latter to visit Argentina.
Then, the event was opened by the Argentine Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Leopoldo Sahores, and the Salvadoran Deputy Foreign Minister, Adriana Mira. The officials discussed the main topics on the regional and international agendas and shared the common views of the governments of both countries. They agreed on the importance of working together within the regional mechanisms aimed at solving the main problems in the region.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sahores thanked the permanent support of the Salvadoran Government for Argentina in the sovereignty dispute with the United Kingdom over the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas.
Regarding the bilateral relation, the officials discussed issues of mutual interest related to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and its applications in other fields, such as healthcare. They also discussed cooperation on technology transfer and human capital training.
In addition, they agreed to hold the 4th Meeting of the Joint Commission on Technical and Scientific Cooperation during the first half of 2025.
In the afternoon, headed by the Argentine Secretary for International Economic Relations, Ambassador Marcelo Cima, and the Salvadoran Deputy Foreign Minister Mira, the delegations explored the possibilities of expanding and deepening the economic and trade relations by taking actions aimed at strengthening trade and investments and promoting trade.
Furthermore, both governments expressed their commitment to move forward with the signing of the instruments on air transport and trade that are currently under negotiation and stressed the importance of promoting the exchange of experiences and best practices on healthcare, security, agriculture, scenic arts, sports and gastronomy.
Finally, the delegations agreed on the importance of continuing to hold high-level meetings, such as the Consultative Mechanism on Issues of Mutual Interest, so as to further promote the excellent bilateral relations between Argentina and El Salvador. For this reason, they agreed to hold the 3rd Consultative Meeting in San Salvador in 2026.
Agreements signed:
At the meeting, Foreign Minister Mondino met with the delegations and signed, together with Deputy Foreign Minister Mira, the "Agreement on Cooperation on the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy" between both countries, aimed at developing and strengthening scientific, technological and economic cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Later, Gastón Benvenuto, head of the General Ports Administration (AGPSE), on behalf of Argentina, and Juan Carlos Canales, General Manager of the Executive Autonomous Port Commission (CEPA), on behalf of El Salvador, signed the Framework Agreement on Mutual Cooperation between AGPSE and CEPA. Through this agreement, the parties undertake to provide mutual support for the exchange of information, training, development, studies, research, management and technical aid for work planning, and technical, technological and research exchange, among others.
