Macron meets with Milei in Buenos Aires in search of business and agreements
This weekend, French President Emmanuel Macron made an express trip to Buenos Aires before flying to Rio de Janeiro, where he will participate in the G20 Forum. There he met with his Argentine counterpart, Javier Milei, with whom he shared a dinner at the presidential residence of Quinta de Olivos and then a short bilateral meeting at the Casa Rosada. During the visit, there were protests by French citizens residing in the South American country. The lightning visit of the French president and the first lady, Brigitte Macron, lasted less than 24 hours. Both landed on Argentine soil at seven in the afternoon on Saturday and left just after two on Sunday. The trip to Buenos Aires had three central moments: a dinner for the presidential couple with Milei and her sister and Secretary of the Presidency, Karina Milei; a tribute to the more than 20 French people who disappeared during the last military dictatorship and, finally, the long-awaited bilateral meeting on Sunday morning. The meeting took place in the presidential office shortly before 11 a.m. local time and lasted less than an hour. Before, Milei and Macron performed the traditional greeting in the White Room of the Government House. The French head of state landed in Buenos Aires accompanied by a large delegation, made up of 30 officials. After the meeting, the Argentine made sure to have the photo with his French counterpart waving from the balcony of the Casa Rosada, just as he did weeks ago with the former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. There has been no joint press conference. Related News standard No The Milei Government withdraws Cristina Kirchner’s pensions after confirming her conviction for corruption Guadalupe Piñeiro Michel | Correspondent in Buenos Aires The Government of the Argentine president has decided to eliminate the privileged retirement – greater than 20,000 euros per month – that the former official received. Arriving at the Casa Rosada, Macron encountered a demonstration of French people living in Buenos Aires, who were protesting. against his meeting with Milei. Some of them complained that, just minutes after attending a tribute to the missing Frenchmen in Argentina, he met with the president, accused of denialism. “What are you doing here Macron?” or “Milei = extreme right”, read the protesters’ banners, written in both languages - French and Spanish -. Climate and business Although the meeting between the presidents took place in an atmosphere of mutual cordiality, both leaders maintain positions diametrically opposite in some matters. In fact, among the main objectives of the visit of the French head of state to the country of tango was to try to change Argentina’s course with respect to the climate issue. It is worth remembering that, last week, the South American country withdrew from COP29 and that Milei referred to global warming as a “lie of socialism.” The new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gerardo Werthein, even told the press days ago that the Government does not rule out abandoning the Paris Agreement. Another of the topics discussed by the heads of state has been that of French investments – current and potential – in Argentina. Some of the French companies with a strong presence in the country are currently Carrefour and Renault. The search for possible trade agreements has been a fundamental pillar in Macron’s trip to Buenos Aires to the point that, after his bilateral with Milei, he has spent time meeting with local businessmen.The EU-Mercosur agreementA question that separates to Milei and Macron is the delayed trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, which has not advanced for years and of which the Argentine president is a promoter, while France is not very convinced. The last visit of the French head of state to Buenos Aires had taken place in 2018, during the mandate of former president Mauricio Macri, when the city was the headquarters of the G20. The Argentine president has thus begun a week full of meetings with European leaders. The next one will take place on Tuesday, when the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, one of Milei’s main political allies within the Old Continent, lands in Buenos Aires.
Change as a global priority, while President Milei highlighted Argentina’s unique challenges and the need for a balanced approach that considers economic development. Argentina plans to enhance its commitment to sustainable practices, particularly in agriculture, while also seeking investments in renewable energy to meet both economic and environmental goals.
Guest 1: Gerardo Werthein, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Argentina
Host: Good morning! Thank you for joining us today. Can you tell us more about the meeting between President Macron and President Milei? What were the main points discussed during their bilateral meeting?
Guest 1: Of course! The meeting was focused on several key issues, including trade and investment opportunities between France and Argentina. Both presidents expressed their desire to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of agriculture, renewable energy, and infrastructure. They also discussed regional issues, such as the situation in Venezuela and the promotion of democracy in the region. Additionally, they discussed the EU-Mercosur agreement, which has been a point of contention between Argentina and France for some time.
Host: That’s interesting. Can you tell us more about the EU-Mercosur agreement? What are Argentina’s goals for this agreement, and how do you see it impacting the country’s economic development?
Guest 1: Argentina’s goal with the EU-Mercosur agreement is to increase trade and investment opportunities with Europe, which would be a major boon for our economy. We believe that by removing tariff and non-tariff barriers, we can increase exports of agricultural and industrial products to the EU, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. We also see this agreement as a way to strengthen our ties with Europe, which is an important strategic partner for us.
Host: And what about France’s position on the agreement? Do you think they are likely to change their stance anytime soon?
Guest 1: As you mentioned, France has been somewhat critical of the agreement in the past. However, President Macron has expressed an openness to discussing the concerns of both parties and finding a common ground. We believe that with continued dialogue and compromise, we can address these concerns and move forward with the agreement.
Host: Turning to climate change, it’s well known that President Milei does not share the same views on this issue as many other world leaders. How did this topic come up during the meeting, and what is Argentina’s plan to address climate change?
Guest 1: Climate change was indeed discussed during the meeting. President Macron emphasized the importance of tackling climate
