Argentina – Switzerland: Bilateral meeting at the Palacio San Martín

The Argentine Foreign Minister, Susana Malcorra, received her Swiss counterpart, Didier Burkhalter, today at noon. They both had an official meeting and signed a joint statement aimed at strengthening the historical bilateral ties between the two nations. "We discussed business, investment and trade opportunities. We underscored the fact that while our exchanges are considerable, there is plenty of room for growth," Malcorra assured.

In the joint statement they signed today, the Argentine Foreign Minister and the head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields of mutual interest with a long-term perspective, in areas such as cooperation in the context of international organizations, bilateral trade and investment, and science and technology. The matters covered in the document include bilateral trade and investment and cooperation in the fields of science and technology and human rights.

At a press conference, Malcorra explained: "We discussed all matters of bilateral interest. And I would like to highlight a few things that are of the utmost importance: one is our commitment to work on issues relating to the multilateral environment, where Switzerland and Argentina have traditionally shared an agenda, for example in the field of Human Rights. Another one is the agenda on violent extremism. We have explored the idea of working together on some matters involving cooperation, including triangular cooperation.

The Foreign Minister added: "Argentina intends to chair the G-20. Our candidacy would have to be approved at the meeting to be held in China in September. Switzerland is very interested in supporting Argentina. We also discussed the Swiss perspective, some of the financial matters that may be of interest in the design of an agenda for 2018 and can strengthen us in the preparation of programmes that will be highly demanding and challenging for us as a host country, if Argentina is confirmed as chair."

 "It is important to feel that Argentina’s friends are there to support us and give us a hand," Minister Malcorra concluded.

·The Joint Statement signed by Malcorra and Burkhalter is reproduced below:

JOINT STATEMENT

BY THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

OF THE SWISS CONFEDERATION

AND THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND WORSHIP

OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC

On the occasion of the official meeting held in Buenos Aires on 26 May 2016, Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and Susana Malcorra, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship;

Considering that the relations between Switzerland and Argentina are based on sound human, political, economic and cultural ties, which are further consolidated by long-standing diplomatic relations and by several bilateral and multilateral agreements and treaties; 

Reaffirming the values and interests shared by both countries, in particular the promotion and protection of human rights, of International Humanitarian Law, of democracy, of multilateralism, of international peace and security, and of sustainable development;

Recognizing the contribution made by the Swiss community in Argentina, and by the Argentine community in Switzerland, to the richness and strength of the ties that bind the two countries;

Recalling with satisfaction the productive cooperation forged in the context of multilateral organizations and spaces for dialogue where items on the global agenda are usually discussed, especially as regards human rights and International Humanitarian Law;

Convinced of the benefits of a closer bilateral exchange in favour of common values and interests, and of the importance of a regular dialogue between Switzerland and Argentina on bilateral and multilateral issues;

Recalling, in this respect, and within the framework of the World Economic Forum, which took place in Davos in January 2016, the recent high-level meetings held by Johann Schneider-Ammann, President of the Swiss Confederation, and Mauricio Macri, President of the Argentine Republic, on the one hand, and between the signatories of this Joint Declaration, on the other;

Expressing their satisfaction with the relations established between the elected representatives of both countries, as illustrated by the recent visits to Argentina of Filippo Lombardi, President of the Council of States, in 2013, and of Stéphane Rossini, President of the National Council, in 2015;

Have agreed as follows:

1. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship of the Argentine Republic (hereinafter, “the Signatories”), agree to further strengthen their bilateral relations in matters of common interest, adopting a long-term perspective which includes, without limitation, cooperation within the framework of international organizations and shared interest initiatives, bilateral trade and investment, science and technology, the exchange of views and the adoption of concerted positions on global issues of mutual interest.

2. The Signatories agree to maintain the mechanism of annual political consultations, which has been in effect since 2005, and to promote regular meetings between the two ministers responsible for the foreign relations of both States. In this respect, the Signatories agree to arrange an official meeting or a state visit, to be held in 2017, between the President of the Swiss Confederation and the President of the Argentine Republic.

3. Within the framework of international organizations, the Signatories intend to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the two countries, especially in areas that allow for the promotion and protection of human rights, International Humanitarian Law, gender equality, the fight against drug trafficking, international terrorism, transnational organized crime, and corruption. The Signatories also intend to promote the United Nations agenda on sustainable development and to enhance efficiency and transparency within said organization. Furthermore, both ministries shall continue working towards supporting their respective candidacies within international organizations.

4. In this regard, the Signatories welcome their fruitful cooperation in matters related to human rights, for instance in transitional justice processes and the prevention of atrocities and genocide: in this respect, both ministries have jointly submitted to the Human Rights Council a resolution for the creation of the position of “Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence”. Furthermore, the Signatories make reference to the joint launch, in 2014, of the Global Action Against Mass Atrocity Crimes initiative, which has proved to be successful, as confirmed by the second meeting, held in Manila in early 2016. The Signatories reaffirm their intention to continue and enhance their exemplary cooperation. They are willing to explore together initiatives that emphasize the contribution of the process of coming to terms with the past in preventing atrocities: such is the case of a joint resolution on transitional justice within the Human Rights Council.

5. Convinced of the potential of triangular cooperation, which is capable of bringing three different parties together for the exchange of knowledge, and of promoting development and poverty-fighting projects, the Signatories agree to explore possible areas for said cooperation in contexts where their cooperation bodies are present. In addition, they agree on the importance of jointly analyzing the possibility of signing an agreement that provides a framework for triangular cooperation between the two countries. 

6. Furthermore, they have decided to begin to analyze the possible signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the White Helmets Commission.

7. Desirous of strengthening their diplomatic ties, the Signatories promote the signature of a visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic, official and service passports, which will facilitate the accreditation of representatives of diplomatic and official missions of both States, as well as their accreditation to International Organizations in Geneva.

8. Within the framework of the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture, the Signatories agree to analyze jointly the possibility of establishing cooperation —for instance, through Switzerland’s provision of skills in the field of technical knowledge in order to assist Argentine authorities in the full implementation of the Optional Protocol and the mechanisms established by it.

9. Emphasizing the importance of their economic and trade relations, as well as the fact that Switzerland occupies the sixth position in terms of foreign investment in Argentina, the Signatories highlight the substantive economic reforms that have been recently implemented by the Argentine Government, including the measures adopted towards improving Argentina’s access to international financial markets and the definitive resolution of the holdouts issue in relation to its foreign debt, as well as the progress made in the field of foreign trade relationships and the creation of a favourable business environment for investors. Likewise, the Signatories express the intention shared by their respective competent agencies to convene, on a regular basis as from the second quarter of the current year, a meeting of the Joint Economic Committee established in July 2011.

10. The Signatories recognize the importance of continuing to consolidate structural conditions in order to intensify bilateral trade and ensure sustainable economic development. Therefore, they welcome the resumption of dialogue between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR) and the beginning of an exploratory process with the aim of commencing negotiations on a free trade agreement between both parties. Furthermore, they promote the strengthening of cooperation within the framework of the MERCOSUR-EFTA Joint Committee.

11. Taking into consideration their respective advances in the battle against tax evasion and fraud, the Signatories express their satisfaction at the entry into force, in November 2015, of a new agreement to prevent double taxation between Switzerland and Argentina, which will include, in observance of international law, a provision for the exchange of tax information upon request. The agreement will contribute to the healthy development of bilateral economic relations, as well as to the prosperity of both nations.

12. Taking into consideration the progress that has been made in terms of fiscal transparency since the signature of the agreement to prevent double taxation, as well as the recognition of the automatic exchange of tax information as a global standard, both the Swiss Confederation and the Argentine Republic express their desire to continue intensifying reciprocal cooperation and to initiate discussions focused on establishing the methods that will regulate such automatic exchange of information, in full observance of national parliamentary proceedings.

13. Furthermore, within the framework of the battle against tax evasion, the Swiss Confederation and the Argentine Republic deem it necessary for the competent authorities on double taxation to sign a Memorandum of Understanding based on the abovementioned Agreement to prevent double taxation and on the interpretation that the benefits established in the Agreement will not be granted in cases of abuse.

14. With respect to the bilateral cooperation agreement entered into in June 2015 between the Federal Customs Administration of the Swiss Confederation and the Federal Administration of Public Revenue of the Argentine Republic, within the framework of the annual session of the World Customs Organization's Council, held in Brussels, the Signatories welcome the will of their respective administrations to continue with the joint activities that have been successfully initiated (seminars, training trips, etc.).

15. Considering that both Switzerland and Argentina attach great importance to scientific excellence and to the quality of education systems, as well as to innovation and sustainable development, the Signatories welcome the new bilateral scientific cooperation project launched; take note of the joint declaration signed in June 2015 by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation of Switzerland (SERI) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation of the Argentine Republic (MINCYT); and reaffirm the importance of promoting the exchange of researchers, teachers and students, as well as cooperation among educational and research institutes of the two countries, and among other players in the fields of training, research and innovation. In this respect, the parties welcome the execution, on this 26th day of May, of the agreement on joint research projects undertaken by the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation, and the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) of Argentina.

16. The Signatories highlight once more the importance of the human, cultural and historic bonds between Switzerland and Argentina, which have been strengthened over many years of migration and exchanges: Argentina currently has the largest Swiss community of Latin America (approximately 16,000 persons), while approximately 10,000 Argentines currently reside in Switzerland. Next June, homage will be paid in Switzerland to renowned writer Jorge Luis Borges, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of his death in Geneva. Bilateral cultural relations have always been excellent, nurtured by countless artistic activities from both countries. The Signatories are also satisfied to note that in 2014 Switzerland opened a residence for artists in the neighbourhood of La Boca, city of Buenos Aires, which currently offers accommodation to three artists who live and work there for six months, and further agree to promote the exchange of artists in residence at the national level in the coming years. In addition, the Signatories encourage the organization of exhibitions and artistic installations in museums of the two countries, as well as the exchange of repertoires between music groups, with a view to fostering joint musical production. Finally, the Signatories specially welcome the cultural activities carried out and planned within the framework of the celebrations for the bicentenary of the Declaration of Independence of Argentina. 

Done in Buenos Aires, on this 26th day of May of 2016, in two originals in the French and Spanish languages.

Press Release No. 159/16

Press Office: 4819-7375 / 8296 / 7388

www.cancilleria.gob.ar

@CancilleriaARG