1. On 3 October 2016, the President of the Argentine Republic, Mauricio Macri, received the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Michel Temer, in Buenos Aires.
2. During this visit, the two presidents referred to the 30° anniversary of the Argentina-Brazil Integration Agreement of 29 July 1986 and the Argentina-Brazil Friendship Agreement of 10 December 1986, two landmarks in the strategic bilateral relationship, which has become a pillar of regional integration.
3. They further highlighted their commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights, the full force and effect of democratic institutions, respect for fundamental liberties and the rule of law.
4. The two presidents expressed their commitment to the people and government of Colombia in searching, jointly with the other political forces of the country, for new paths to build peace, highlighting the benefits this would bring to Colombia and the region.
ARGENTINA-BRAZIL POLITICAL COORDINATION MECHANISM
5. The presidents welcomed the creation, on 23 May 2016, of the Mechanism for Political Coordination between Argentina and Brazil, which will contribute to increased coordination of positions on issues of common interest at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.
BORDER INTEGRATION
6. The presidents reaffirmed their commitment to the development and integration of their border areas. In this respect, they noted the importance of the Commission for Border Cooperation and Development (CODEFRO), calling for a new meeting of the commission. The presidents also expressed their satisfaction with the recent entry into force of the Agreement on Related Border Towns, welcoming the commencement of negotiations on commitments relative to telecommunication and emergency assistance, within the framework of this agreement.
BORDER SECURITY
7. The two presidents expressed their strong resolution to work jointly in order to promote coordination among the countries of the region in the fight against drug trafficking, smuggling and transnational organized crime. In this respect, they welcomed the ministerial meeting on border security that will be held in November in Brasilia, Brazil, for which invitations are being sent to the rest of the Southern Cone countries. In addition, they agreed on calling a meeting of the Joint Committee on Drugs during the first semester of 2017.
PHYSICAL AND ENERGY INTEGRATION
8. The two presidents highlighted the importance of improving connectivity among the countries of the region, as a way of strengthening regional integration and supporting the increase in the flow of goods and people. In this respect, they stressed the need to move forward in the implementation of the agenda of the Working Group on the Atlantic-Pacific Corridor between Porto Murtinho in Brazil and the ports of the north of Chile.
9. The presidents also highlighted the work being carried out to improve the physical integration of the two countries, calling for the strengthening of joint efforts in this field. In addition, they called upon binational committees to continue working on the follow-up of projects for the building of new bridges over the Uruguay and Pepiri-Guazu rivers.
10. They also noted the importance of energy integration between the two countries, marked by the execution, on May 2016, of a bilateral memorandum for energy exchange, in force until 2018. The presidents also reaffirmed the importance given and commitment assumed by Argentina and Brazil with respect to the completion of the feasibility studies for the construction of binational hydropower plants Garabi and Panimbi, noting that there is ample space for cooperation and the exchange of bilateral experiences on bioenergies, including ethanol, biodiesel and second-generation biofuels.
BILATERAL TRADE
11. The presidents highlighted the importance of promoting an increase in trade flows based on diversification and balance, stating that it is necessary for the countries' intense bilateral relationship to foster exchanges that are aimed at increasing added value and integration into global value chains in the two countries. Moreover, they agreed that, in order to contribute to a quantitative and qualitative trade increase, joint initiatives that promote competitiveness, the improvement and expansion of infrastructure works, the use of technology, and the facilitation of customs procedures are needed.
12. They also welcomed the execution of a Joint Declaration on dialogue for the Facilitation of Trade and the Productive Development of Argentina and Brazil," between the Ministry of Production of Argentina and the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade and Services of Brazil.
13. Both presidents also welcomed last June’s signing of the agreement to extend the bilateral agreement on automotive trade to 2020. They particularly highlighted the importance of the Work Plan for further productive integration and the joint development of the automotive chain with the aim of establishing free trade between both countries in this sector.
14. They agreed that technical, sanitary and phytosanitary measures should not impose unnecessary barriers to trade. In this respect, they agreed to promote the convergence of regulatory frameworks and the design of rules aimed at jointly reaching competitive standards in order to gain access to third markets.
15. They reaffirmed the importance of strengthening cooperation in the field of metrology, conformity assessment and standardization of regulatory convergence with a view to facilitating bilateral trade and overcoming technical barriers, In this regard, Argentina proposed analyzing the feasibility of creating a binational metrology body, which will be examined by both countries.
16. Both presidents highlighted the different bilateral initiatives that are being developed, even at the regional level, to facilitate trade. In particular, they underscored the importance of the “Trade Facilitation Agreement” for the design of a joint strategy in the field in order to promote regional integration, bilateral trade flow and the “Memorandum of Understanding on the use of digital certificates”.
17. They highlighted the potential for increasing trade by coordinating and simplifying administrative procedures as well as through the interoperability of international trade single windows. They also underscored the importance of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises for job creation and profit generation and welcomed the “Joint Declaration on the Simplification of Foreign Trade Procedures for Micro and Small Enterprises”.
18. Both presidents highlighted the importance of bilateral cooperation in agriculture and acknowledged the mutual benefits of coordination in the field of international agricultural negotiations and trade. In addition, they welcomed the outcome of ministerial meetings and technical dialogue, which facilitate the convergence of positions, the signing of agreements to ensure that products have access to both markets, and the adoption of positions in their relations with third markets as well as in multilateral negotiations.
19. Both presidents expressed their interest in improving commercial opportunities for Argentine and Brazilian airlines, investment dynamization and bilateral tourism flows within the framework of effective agreements.
COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF DEFENCE
20. Both presidents recalled the Ministerial Joint Declaration of 21 October 2014, in which the Argentine and Brazilian Ministers of Defence forged an alliance between both countries’ defence industries, which led to the development of aircraft KC-390 according to the highest quality standards. In addition, they agreed to analyze new productive integration alternatives in the field. In this context, they welcomed Argentina’s intention to start negotiations aimed at achieving further aerospace integration.
NUCLEAR COOPERATION
21. Both presidents highlighted the 25th anniversary of the Guadalajara Agreement, which provides for the exclusively peaceful use of nuclear energy by both countries and created the Brazilian-Argentine Agency for Accounting and Control of Nuclear Materials (ABACC), which helped overcome mutual distrust and lay the foundations for a transparent and cooperative relationship. They reaffirmed that the ABACC is an innovative mechanism for the implementation of safeguard measures, whose efficiency is evidenced by the close cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has materialized in over 2,500 inspections conducted in both countries.
22. In the field of bilateral nuclear cooperation, they highlighted the importance of the building of the Brazilian Multipurpose Reactor, which represents, together with RA-10 Reactor, significant progress in the development of technological infrastructure in both countries for the peaceful application of nuclear technology and which will make it possible to supply the regional market with radioisotopes to be used in nuclear medicine.
23. The presidents welcomed the meeting of the Permanent Nuclear Policy Committee (CPPN), held on 9 September 2016, which contributed to the strengthening and appreciation of political dialogue and strategic cooperation in the nuclear field, a key issue for the sustainable development of Brazil and Argentina.
SPACE COOPERATION
24. Once again, they referred to the two countries' commitment to continue the joint development of the SABIA-Mar satellite mission, emphasizing the strategic nature of bilateral space cooperation, not only to stimulate joint development of space technologies, but also to create economic, social and environmental benefits for the people of both nations, especially as regards meteorology and the prevention of natural disasters.
COOPERATION IN THE FIELDS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
25. Argentina and Brazil expressed their satisfaction with the productive bilateral relations in the fields of science, technology and innovation. They recalled the thirtieth anniversary of the Argentine-Brazilian Biotechnology Centre (CABBIO/CBAB).
26. In addition, recognizing that there is still great untapped potential in this field, they expressed special interest in bilateral cooperation promoting innovation, through mobilization and involvement of each fostering mechanism, taking into account the key role, in this context, of creating and providing support for partnerships between technology enterprises and technology parks of both countries, in addition to Project Sirius.
27. In the context of the strategic importance of science and technology research in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology, the presidents announced the re-launch of the Argentine-Brazilian Nanotechnology Centre (CBAN), established in 2005, through which they expect to make a significant contribution to the production of scientific knowledge and R&D in fields at the frontiers of knowledge, cross-cutting the fields of medical sciences, the pharmacology industry, agro-industry, and materials science, among others.
28. The presidents stated their commitment to foster south-south cooperation for the purpose of expanding the ties between institutions of both countries, and of strengthening the exchange of public policies and practices for their mutual benefit. They agreed to promote the Fourth Meeting of the Technical Cooperation Joint Committee, in order to make arrangements for a comprehensive work programme reflecting the interests of both parties.
29. They also noted that their governments are committed to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which recognizes poverty eradication as one of the key global challenges. In this context, they considered that implementing the 2030 Agenda requires support from the United Nations System, other international entities and multiple sectors, including civil society and the private sector. The presidents underscored the fact that Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and the Internet in particular, are indispensable tools to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals.
COOPERATION IN ANTARCTICA
30. With regard to cooperation in Antarctica, once again both presidents stated their interest in continuing to strengthen collaboration in the field, both on scientific research and logistic coordination.
COORDINATION IN THE FIELDS OF JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS
31. As regards legal cooperation, the presidents agreed to move forward on negotiations to sign a new bilateral extradition agreement, which will reflect the evolution of each country's domestic laws and guarantee an accurate, modern legal framework for cooperation efforts in the fight against criminal activities and for criminal prosecution, as well as a bilateral instrument for mutual assistance in criminal matters, which will make criminal investigation and prosecution actions more efficient.
32. They undertook a commitment to strengthen bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation in the field of human rights, maintaining initiatives such as the Memorandum of Understanding for the exchange of documents to clarify serious human rights violations. Brazil was also grateful for Argentina's support for its candidacy to the United Nations Human Rights Council.
CULTURAL COOPERATION
33. The presidents undertook a commitment to foster cultural exchange, and stated that they are satisfied to continue cooperating through the 2016-2018 Executive Cultural Programme, which will stimulate development and integration between the creative economies of both countries.
MERCOSUR
34. They emphasized their commitment to MERCOSUR, the bloc that arose out of the South American redemocratization process in the last decades of the twentieth century, and ratified its major importance as an environment for the growth and development of the countries in the region. They agreed that there is work to be done to improve on the free trade zone, and they agreed on the need to define an agenda for the consolidation of a customs partnership, in order to enhance the productive development of the countries that comprise it.
35. They undertook a commitment to promote the MERCOSUR trade and commerce agenda, continuing initiatives to face measures affecting trade flows between the States Parties. Further, they agreed on the importance of negotiating the new Government Procurement Protocol and an agreement on Investment Cooperation and Facilitation.
36. They underscored the importance of projects funded through the MERCOSUR Structural Convergence Fund (FOCEM), as well as the contribution of this mechanism to reduce existing asymmetries among the countries in the region, especially in smaller economies and less developed regions.
37. They also highlighted their interest in making progress in the dialogue initiated between Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance on the basis of the agreed-upon areas of common interest, such as trade facilitation, customs cooperation, trade promotion, and SMBs, among others. Likewise, they valued the exchange of information on the initiatives carried out by Argentina and Brazil with each of the member countries of the Alliance.
38. Both presidents reaffirmed the strategic importance of the competitive insertion of Mercosur into international trade flows and global value chains. In order to achieve this, the extension and strengthening of the network of trade agreements within the bloc is a top priority. In this context, they welcomed the increasingly close coordination throughout the bloc, especially in relation to the negotiations on the Mercosur-EU Association Agreement. They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade negotiations with Canada, EFTA, the Republic of Korea, India and SACU, among others.
COORDINATION IN RIVER PLATE BASIN MATTERS
39. Both presidents recognized the need to strengthen the institutional aspects of the Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee of the River Plate Basin Countries (ICC) and of the other bodies that operate within the framework of the Treaty of the River Plate Basin, such as the Intergovernmental Committee of the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway and the Commission of the Guaraní Aquifer.
40. They also recognized the importance of the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway as a natural transport infrastructure and a core element of regional physical integration. Furthermore, they undertook to strengthen coordination between their countries and with the other signatory countries to the Waterway Agreement, with a view to fully developing its potential as a route for the promotion of trade and development for the benefit of the countries that are part of the waterway. They further agreed to initiate negotiations aimed at achieving greater integration in the field of defence.
41. Taking into consideration that the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway Agreement expires in 2020, both presidents agreed to propose the renewal of the Agreement to the other State Parties in order to update it in keeping with the evolution and the needs of river navigation.
COORDINATION AT THE MULTILATERAL LEVEL
42. President Michel Temer congratulated Argentina on its designation to chair the G20 in 2018. The two presidents underscored their interest to continue working jointly within the Group. Both countries will have the opportunity to reflect on the areas of mutual interest within the G20 upcoming agenda at the sherpas bilateral meeting, which will be held in November in Brasilia in the context of the existing Bilateral Coordination Mechanism between both countries within the framework of the G20.
43. The presidents reiterated their firm commitment to the fight against climate change and welcomed the prompt ratification of the Paris Agreement in both countries, highlighting the active participation of Argentina and Brazil in the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In this context, they welcomed the creation of important cooperation opportunities in this area.
44. They also reiterated their commitment to the strengthening of multilateralism, the comprehensive reform of the United Nations, and the democratization of international decision-making bodies. They underscored the importance of increasing intergovernmental efforts in order to promote the necessary reform of the Security Council with a view to transforming it into a more representative, legitimate, efficient, democratic and transparent body. In this regard, they consider that the revitalization of the UN General Assembly and Economic and Social Council is key. Likewise, they underlined their commitment to strengthening and improving the efficiency of the Human Rights Council, which is the main UN body responsible for addressing human rights issues at the multilateral level.
THE QUESTION OF THE MALVINAS ISLANDS
45. The President of the Federative Republic of Brazil reiterated his country's support for the legitimate rights of the Argentine Republic in the sovereignty dispute with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland over the Malvinas, South Georgias, and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas. President Macri thanked Brazil for its permanent support for Argentina's position in the Question of the Malvinas Islands. This support is reflected in Brazil's traditional position in respect of the 1833 events and in the various statements adopted at the regional and multilateral fora in which this question has been addressed.
46. The presidents expressed their satisfaction with the successful organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, as well as with the excellent and constant coordination between the two governments throughout both events.
47. President Temer reiterated his invitation for President Macri to make a State visit to Brazil, which President Macri accepted.
Press release No. 324/16
Press Office: 4819-7375 / 8296 / 7388
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