Brussels, 6th May 2024 - During an official visit to Brussels, the Argentine Chancellor, Diana Mondino, held several key meetings with senior officials of the European Union, reaffirming Argentina's firm commitment to strengthening and deepening bilateral relations with this regional bloc, highlighting shared global values and world views.
Among the highlights of her visit in relation to the European Union, it was notable that the Chancellor met with Kerstin Jorna, Director-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs at the European Commission. Mondino confirmed Argentina's intention to intensify economic, commercial and investment ties. Furthermore, she expressed gratitude for Argentina being named "Country of Honour" at the next edition of Raw Materials Week.
Another significant meeting was with Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director-General for the Environment at the EU, where the Chancellor discussed Argentina’s new monitoring system for the National Platform for Soy and Beef Free from Deforestation, which will ensure a 100% deforestation-free origin from December 2024. Mondino emphasized her expectation that the EU Regulation 2023/1115 on deforestation, which constitutes a unilateral measure, should not interfere with the normal trade flow with the EU nor become a barrier to market access.
The day also included a meeting with Anne Edwards, Head of Corporate Affairs at Glencore, who outlined the plans for investment in large-scale copper projects in Argentina.
Subsequently, Mondino had a working lunch with Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU, with whom she discussed key issues on the bilateral and global agenda.
Furthermore, she met with Jutta Urpilainen, Commissioner for International Partnerships at the European Commission, with whom she discussed the need to modernize and densify the political and institutional relations between Argentina and the EU. The head of the San Martín Palace highlighted that Argentina can be a reliable supplier and partner for Europe in energy and in the development of value chains, and a strategic partner for critical raw materials.
Chancellor Mondino reiterated that signing the MERCOSUR - EU agreement is a priority for the Argentine government and expressed her hope that the EU is also committed to a swift conclusion of the negotiations.
For more information about the visit, please visit the website of the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Written by Felipe Cossio
