In December 2015, President Mauricio Macri set out three priorities for his administration: to make progress towards zero poverty, fight against drug trafficking, and to unite Argentines under strong democratic institutions. In that context, he entrusted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the task of advancing a foreign policy of openness to the world with a more integrational vision, enhancing the country’s role at regional and global level, and supporting the Ministry’s main function: to promote and protect national interests on the basis of mutual respect.
Our international performance is based on a long-standing foreign policy tradition in Argentina. June, for example, marks the eightieth anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Foreign Minister Carlos Saavedra Lamas, the lead mediator in the negotiation process that successfully ended the so-called “Chaco War.”
Today, our foreign policy pursues its objectives following this peaceful tradition, emphasizing principle-based diplomacy, peacekeeping, the defence of democracy, and respect for human rights. Concern for climate change, achieving the objectives of the 2030 Agenda, the fight against terrorism, cooperation in the field of nuclear safety and the fight against the multiple forms of illegal trafficking, are some of the global issues that Argentina seeks to address based on a constructive agenda and on strengthening multilateralism and existing cooperation mechanisms. At the same time, we are working to show the international community that those who place their trust and invest in Argentina will find that our country is a responsible, predictable business partner.
In this first issue of the Newsletter, we would like to share information on activities carried out by the different areas of the Foreign Ministry: the deployment of the White Helmets in Lebanon —an action that renews our humanitarian commitment in the field of humanitarian cooperation and aid; the historic adoption by the United Nations of the recommendations on the outer limits of the Argentine continental platform, which constitutes one of the greatest foreign policy achievements in recent years given the potential impact for our country as regards economic development and investment; the vibrant investment-attraction agenda; and our vast cultural offering through participation in the Venice Biennale.
We trust that the following articles in this and future Newsletters will enable readers to become acquainted with the actions and achievements of our work and learn more about what we do at the Foreign Ministry to help build a better Argentina. We invite you to find out more about our work here.
Office of Public Diplomacy