Argentina » International Relations

The Argentina Relations with International Community

Argentina was the only Latin American country to participate in the 1991 Gulf War under mandate of the United Nations and in every phase of the Haiti operation. It has also contributed worldwide in peacekeeping operations, including El Salvador-Honduras-Nicaragua, Guatemala, Ecuador-Peru, Western Sahara, Angola, Kuwait, Cyprus, Croatia, Kosovo, Bosnia and East Timor. In recognition of its contributions to international security and peacekeeping, U.S. President Bill Clinton designated Argentina as a major non-NATO ally in January 1998. In 2005 it was elected as a temporary UN Security Council member.

Argentina is currently emphasizing Mercosur as its first external priority, in contrast with its reliance during the 1990s on the relationship with the United States.In 2005, between November 4 and November 5, the Argentine city of Mar del Plata hosted the Fourth Summit of the Americas. This Summit was marked by a number of incidents of anti-USA protests.

Argentina was the only Latin American country to participate in the 1991 Gulf War and all phases of the Haiti operation. It has contributed to United Nations peacekeeping operations worldwide, with Argentine soldiers/engineers and police/Gendarmerie serving in El Salvador-Honduras-Nicaragua (where Navy patrol boats painted white were deployed), Guatemala, Ecuador-Peru, Western Sahara, Angola, Kuwait, Cyprus, Croatia, Kosovo, Bosnia, and East Timor. In recognition of its contributions to international security and peacekeeping, U.S. President Bill Clinton designated Argentina as a major non-NATO ally in January 1998. The country is currently the only nation in Latin America that holds this distinction.

Argentina also became a leading advocate of non-proliferation efforts worldwide. A strong proponent of enhanced regional stability in South America, Argentina revitalized its relationship with Brazil; and during the 1990s (after signing the 1984 Treaty) settled lingering border disputes with Chile; discouraged military takeovers in Ecuador and Paraguay; served with the United States, Brazil and Chile as one of the four guarantors of the Ecuador-Peru peace process. Argentina's reputation as a mediator was damaged, however, when President Menem and some members of his cabinet were accused of approving the illegal sale of weapons to Ecuador and to Croatia.

Trade And Investment With UK

The UK is Argentina’s 14th largest supplier. UK exports are in a upturn phase, having halved after the 2002 economic crisis. Argentina was the UK's fourth largest market in Latin America.

The UK is also the sixth largest investor in Argentina, investing over US $2 billion in the last three years. UK companies continue to have an important stake in sectors such as pharmaceuticals (GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca), banking (HSBC), mining (Rio Tinto, Anglo Gold) and energy (BG Group, BP and Shell).

In 2003, the Argentine economy began to recover from the financial crisis of the previous year and in 2004 the economy grew by 9%, fuelled by investment and consumption. Prospects for 2005 continue to be good with forecasts averaging over 8%. Poverty was brought down to 40% and unemployment fell to 11%, according to official figures.