Following the address by President Alberto Fernández to marked the opening of the regular sessions of Congress, Foreign Minister Felipe Solá stated this afternoon that “the President made it clear once again that independence and sovereignty are key pillars for Argentina, which joins the world holding its head high and not on its knees”.
The President highlighted the unprecedented work organized and carried out by the Foreign Ministry last year when “our diplomats cooperated to repatriate 205,000 people during the first months of the pandemic, which was the largest consular assistance operation in the history of Argentina".
Foreign Minister Solá highlighted Alberto Fernández’ words when he said that it is necessary to “increase exports as a key goal to obtain more foreign currency and decentralise Argentina in a balanced way.” Within this context, the President stated that: “At the Foreign Ministry we have already created the Public-Private Council for the Promotion of Exports, with officials that work with 247 sectoral chambers representing eighteen thousand companies to boost sales and investment".
“In particular, we are boosting exports with higher added-value. That is why we have reduced the export tax on industrial goods. The new tax structure rewards those who add value. Lower export taxes on products with a higher degree of industrial processing. Regarding the knowledge economy, the export tax was removed entirely. We have also reduced the export tax for regional economies in order to promote federal exports", added Fernández.
He also stated that “in 2020 we worked with the Argentine Agroindustrial Council on projects intended to boost investment in order to add value and increase production and exports. We will promote agroindustrial investment through tax incentives and predictability in order to boost investment in that area, creating more jobs and added value".
As for the Mercosur regional bloc, he stated that “State policies pay off. Mercosur is an example. On 26 March, under the Argentine Pro Tempore Presidency, we will commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Treaty of Asunción, which was the cornerstone of our integration, and it is thanks to that integration that we can live in a friendly and productive environment alongside our neighbours and have better negotiations with the world".
Solá highlighted “the importance that the President attached to the Question of the Malvinas". During his address, the President reminded that: “In last year’s opening of the sessions I stated that it is a priority for our Government to pursue the restoration of our sovereignty over the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas as well as the protection of natural resources in the South Atlantic".
The Head of State thanked Congress for unanimously approving the three bills sent by the Executive branch to make progress on the defence of Argentina’s sovereignty and stated that “with the expansion of the Continental Platform, which is the result of another true State policy implemented for over 20 years, we have demonstrated the real extension of Argentine sovereignty over the South Atlantic. We can now act more strictly against illegal fishing, and from now on, a plural and interdisciplinary Federal Council for the Malvinas Islands will define medium- and long-term strategies".
The President stressed that: “Our development strategy envisages a bicontinental Argentina extending from La Quiaca to the South Pole. An Argentina that, accompanied by Latin America and most of the world’s countries that in 2020 reaffirmed their support for our position in all multilateral organizations is determined to maintain its strong claim to the United Kingdom for the resumption of bilateral dialogue on sovereignty as provided by the United Nations. We reiterate that there is no room for colonialism in the 21st century. The Malvinas were, are, and will forever be Argentine".
He also referred to the human rights work that the Foreign Ministry is doing internationally, which is a State policy. “We are proud of the fraternal policy carried out with the Plurinational State of Bolivia. We have never recognized the illegal regime that emerged from a coup d’état against Evo. We gave shelter to the overthrown constitutional President and to other brothers and sisters whose lives were in danger. Now, we are very glad to see that Bolivia is a democratic country again", he stated.
Reviewing the regional and multilateral actions taken by the Government with regard to the pandemic, Fernández highlighted that “we are a solidary country. With Mexico, we gave a boost to the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which will serve as the framework for the distribution of vaccines at an affordable price. We want our present and future to be with our Greater Homeland. We want a united Latin America".
“In the G-20 summits I have twice proposed a Global Solidarity Pact and a Humanitarian Fund to deal with effects of the coronavirus. When our government calls for more multilateralism it is thinking of our people and those of other nations. A world with vaccines for only a few will be a more unfair and violent world. I have had the chance to speak to the highest authorities of many countries. We need to join forces to understand that no country will be saved from the pandemic on its own", he stated.
Finally, referring to the relationship that Argentina has with the world, he explained: “We have built a serious relationship with world powers and major blocs, such as the United States, China, Russia, the Middle East and the European Union. We have left behind the politics of photos and submission. We have pursued realistic idealism and pragmatism based on values. We want results that can be seen in daily life".
