Demonstrating the growing importance of ASEAN to Argentina, the ASEAN Committee in Buenos Aires comprising of the Ambassadors of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, met with Argentine Foreign Minister Felipe Solá for the first time as a group on 18 March 2021 at the Palacio San Martin.
Minister Solá underscored Argentina’s strength in agricultural technologies and its great potential in renewable energies, its possible role to further enhance relations between ASEAN and Argentina, and Argentina’s interest in selling its agricultural products, machinery, and technology to ASEAN countries. The Minister also highlighted the importance of ASEAN in facilitating Argentina’s approach to the region, in view of Argentina accession to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in 2018.
The ASEAN Ambassadors likewise briefed the Minister on the COVID situation in their respective countries and its impact on their economies. Philippine Ambassador Linglingay F. Lacanlale spoke on relations between ASEAN and MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market), the regional bloc to which Argentina belongs. The Philippines is currently the ASEAN coordinator for ASEAN-MERCOSUR relations while Argentina is currently the President Pro Tempore of MERCOSUR.
Minister Solá was a former Minister of Agriculture of Argentina during which time he visited the Philippines. He recalled his fond memories of his visit to the country, noting the warmth and friendliness of the Filipino people.
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