Russian President Dimitri Medvédev met with President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to commemorate 125 years of bilateral relations between Argentina and Russia and signed several trade agreements expected to boost both countries' commercial exchange. The Russian leader met earlier with businessmen at the Buenos Aires city Jockey Club.
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"Today is a very special day. In 200 years of Argentine history, a female Argentine president receives the first Russian president to visit our country," said Cristina Fernández.
"This speaks of a new world. We acknowledge the importance of Russian history and of global players. We signed important agreements. Our commerce has multiplied a lot since 2003. Today we signed strategic and technological cooperation accords," the President added.
In response to President Fernández de Kirchner's visit to Moscow in December 2008, when both heads of state supported the signing of a Strategic Association Agreement, Medvédev decided to return the courtesy and visit Argentina. After leaving Buenos Aires, he will head towards Brazil, where he will take part of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) summit.
Medvédev's visit was the first of a Russian president to Argentina (including the USSR period between 1917 and 1991), and he was joined by a number of delegates and officials looking to strengthen bilateral accords.
The Russian president was also joined by his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Federal Service director Serguey Dankvert and president of the Atomic Energy Agency (Rosatom) Sergei Kirienki. In the morning, Argentine Foreign Minister joined Medvédev in the Alvear Hotel and was part of the "Economy Seminar on opportunities and business between the Russian Federation and Argentina."
"We are very happy and expect many things from this visit," said Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana regarding Medvédev's presence.
After their private gathering, both heads of state joined a parallel meeting to be held by the retinues of each country, where various agreements were to be signed, among them a Cultural Cooperation Programme and an understanding memorandum between the Argentine National Space Activities Committee (CONAE) and Russia's Federal Space Agency.
Also, a nuclear cooperation agreement with peaceful purposes was to be signed; a geological and hydrocarbon investigation cooperation agreement; and others on transportation, forestry legislation, sports, and energy.
The Argentine government has explained that since their meeting in Moscow, both administrations have been looking for a way to "double the amount of trade" that for years has favoured Argentina. In 2009 alone it made US$ 705 million.
Other agreements ordered for the elimination of visa requirements for Argentine citizens, in return for Argentina's support of Russia to be made part of the World Trade Organization and their support for the Argentine cause in Malvinas sovereignty claim.
Foreign Minister Taiana stated that in 2008 the relationship, which he defines as "strategic," was given "the ultimate boost," and during Medvédev's visit both presidents will be able to see that "all their requests have been heard."
Taiana informed that "more than ten agreements were ready to be signed," involving areas such as sports, transportation, atomic energy and agriculture.
Medvédev arrived at noon, where he was met by Taiana. He met President Fernández de Kirchner at Government House, and they would later head towards the San Martín Palace, where they are to share a dinner in Medvedev's honor.
Medvédev's visit clears any animosity that may have existed between both countries since 2004, when then president Néstor Kirchner allegedly "stood Vladimir Putin up" in a Moscow airport during his European tour.
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