“I can assure you that we engage in constant dialogue with the Brazilian Government” stated Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra today, adding that: "What we have here is a legal and political mix; there are aspects of legality with regard to the application of rules, and there are also aspects of legitimacy. That is why we are following this process closely”.
Malcorra, who has implemented regular meetings with the press at the Palacio San Martín, stressed that “Brazil is a large and solid country with robust institutions, so we do not wish to do anything that might involve interfering in affairs that the Brazilian Government itself would not want us to become involved in. This holds true both for Argentina and the whole region. President Macri has been in contact with President Rousseff and I am in contact with Mauro Vieira. We are concerned with the matter but treat it with caution. Our involvement should be a contribution, not a disruption”.
“There is nothing more important to Argentina than the well-being of Brazil. Contrary to the historical view of our relations, our destinies are forever intertwined and so we must help as much as we can while respecting internal processes” remarked the head of Argentine diplomacy at the press conference, during which she also addressed various Argentine foreign policy issues.
Ms. Malcorra underscored that “we are deeply immersed in the issue; but this does not mean that we will unreservedly make statements that might be inappropriate. Our greatest concern is the institutional strength of Brazil, that all actions be taken by the relevant institutions in a legal and legitimate manner, and that Brazil find the mechanisms to emerge stronger from this experience, so that our main partner will be a solid partner”.
Agreements with China
Minister Malcorra also announced that she will travel to China in mid-May: "I will have a bilateral meeting with my Chinese counterpart. We have a very important agenda, so we have to prepare our work to ensure that it is productive."
Asked about what Argentina will propose to China as regards the review of contracts, the Foreign Minister said: "President Macri has discussed this with President Xi Jinping. China pointed out the need to comply with the agreements that have been signed, and Argentina reassured China that that would be the case provided that all legal procedures and requirements have been observed and as long as the projects make technical and economic sense."
"There is an interest in the hydroelectric dams in the South, in the nuclear field and in projects with northern provinces. We will discuss all of these matters with the government and with the companies. Our aim is to make the most of all of the Chinese government's availability and good disposition to invest in Argentina. We are seeking to take the drama out of these relations; to peel the onion layer by layer, go over each detail, and if there is anything to amend or revise, we are sure—based on the commitment reached by President Macri and President Xi Jinping in their conversations—that both parties will be willing to make any necessary adjustments," Malcorra remarked.
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