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ARGENTINA | 03-12-2018 18:01

Macri: 'We’ve never had the relationship we have now with the world'

The president addressed a variety of topics including the state of the economy and the future of the Mercosur trade bloc during a press conference at the Casa Rosada on Monday, following the departure of world leaders from Buenos Aires. 

President Mauricio Macri believes Argentina's relationship with other countries has never been better, after his government's successful hosting of the G20 Leaders Summit.

"We’ve never had the relationship we have now with the rest of the world,” said Macri this morning, remarking the country had emerged back onto the global stage after years of isolationism, due to the policies enacted by previous Kirchnerite administrations.

The president addressed a variety of topics including the state of the economy and the future of the Mercosur trade bloc during a press conference at the Casa Rosada on Monday, following the departure of world leaders from Buenos Aires. 

Discussing Argentine presidency of the G20, he remarked: "We managed to be a presidency that reconciles, that takes care of issues like climate change and continue to look for ways to deepen trade.” 

"The world knows that we Argentines have changed. We may we have setbacks but we’ll keep moving forward."

"[World leaders] told us we are going down the right path, but that we need to be consistent," he added.

The president praised the Security Ministry and its chief, Patricia Bullrich, for its handling of the event, which passed off without incident.

"Now we have gone back to having self-esteem," he added, "But what we did during this week, we have to do every day."

Economy

The president, however, did not comment in-depth on the nation's economic outlook, preferring to point to positive aspects.

“The economy had extremely serious imbalances and we are stabilising it by lowering inflation rates. The export sector, for example, is already showing some improvements. […] also, the tourism industry will do well during the summer,” he added

Asked about a potential trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, over which negotiations have been long-running, he said: "We are meeting on December 10. [...] We all agree it is a great opportunity, unfortunately the process has been delayed due to the presence of a new [leader] in Brazil."

“What we have to do is continue working as we are doing now, this is the way," he added.

Asked whether Argentina had rejected the possibility of an agreement over a nuclear power plant with Russia and China at the request of the the United States, Macri said: "The issue was not on the agenda with [US] President [Donald] ... my objective is to have a good relationship with all countries across the world, because my only responsibility to [Argentines] is to generate opportunities.” 

The president also confirmed that the US-China trade war has had an impact on the world’s economy, not just Argentina's, though he was optimistic the dispute would soon be resolved. 

"What happened has already affected us, all this tension has impeded the economic progress of Argentina and other emerging countries," he said.

Finally, with regards to the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands and the historic visit of British Prime Minister Theresa May, Macri said Argentina would seek to continue discussions over the islands' sovereignty with the United Kingdom, though he added neither side was willing to budge on their position.

- TIMES/PERFIL

 

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