Argentina is seeking to strengthen bilateral ties with Brazil, Jorge Capitanich said confirming Dilma Rousseff will be officially visiting the country on December 17. The cabinet chief also explained that the election of Mercosur legislators is not a matter of the government to decide but of Congress.
Following his visit to the neighboring country yesterday, Capitanich said the Cristina Fernández de Kirchner administration is seeking to “invigorate trade relations” with Argentina’s top regional partner while admitting a drop in the “volume of transactions.”
Addressing reporters at the government house during his dayly conference today, the official briefed the press on the visit he made to Brazil along with Economy Minister Axel Kicillof on Thursday, explaining they met with that country's Civil Office chief Aloizio Mercadante, Industry Minister Mauro Borges, Foreign Minister Luiz Alberto Figueiredo, Property Vice- minister Paulo Caffarelli and Rousseff’s presidential adviser Marco Aurelio Garcia.
Pointing out this was the first bilateral meeting since Dilma Rousseff secured a second term in office earlier in October, Capitanich explained both countries settled an agenda of “constructive nature.”
In that sense, the head of minister explained there will be monthly meetings with Brazilian officials adding that “productive integration” must be “strengthened” in the naval and aeronautic industries, the car and auto-parts sectors, the integrated logistical infrastructure area and the energy industry in order to “invigorate trade relations.”
Mercosur
Furthermore, the ex Chaco province governor confirmed Dilma Rousseff’s presence in the Mercosur summit to take place in the city of Paraná in the Entre Ríos province on December 17 when Brazil will be assuming the pro-tempore presidency of the regional bloc.
State members, he added, will be also addressing Bolivia’s pending bid to join Mercosur as a full member, following Venezuela’s integration back in July 2012.
Jorge Capitanich took the opportunity as well to explain that the election of Mercosur MPs is an “initiative of the Legislative Power” and not of the Executive branch.
When queried about the government promoting the voting of Mercosur legislators along with Argentina’s 2015 general elections, the head of ministers stressed that decision will have to be evaluated in Congress.
