MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina/US bilateral relations must improve “to their best possible levels”

“Cristina” and her new re-won friend

President Cristina Fernández met on Thursday with newly appointed Argentine ambassador to the US Jorge Argüello at the Olivos presidential residency, and instructed him to improve bilateral ties “to their best possible levels.”

According to official sources, the Argentine president summoned Argüello to the residence Thursday morning, where they met privately for over 90 minutes, discussing the bilateral agenda.

CFK and Argüello –who is still Argentina’s ambassador to the UN – discussed issues that ranged from ‘balancing trade with the US to international terrorism’, a subject that directly affects Argentina due to its current situation with Iran.

During the meeting, the President insisted that she’s intent on solving any existing conflicts between both nations, including the ongoing dispute with two US companies, who won a legal battle against Argentina before the ICSID.

The World Bank’s International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes has ruled that Argentina must compensate the two US companies, which so far has not happened.

In reprisal the US has started to vote against granting loans to Argentina in the boards of the World Bank and Inter American Development Bank.

However following the recent meeting between President Cristina Fernandez and her US counterpart Barack Obama on request from the US leader, following the G20 summit in France and according to the State Department the event was ‘warm’ and a “good way to restart the relationship”.

“I don’t agree with those who say that we’re punishing Argentina. I would say the US government is encouraging Argentina to settle its disputes with bondholders within the ICSID, and take any necessary steps to completely normalize the situation with its debtors” spokesman of the Department of State Mark Toner said on Wednesday.

President Obama in a brief encounter with Argentine journalists referred to the meeting in similar warm terms and called the Argentine leader by her first name “Cristina”.

Argüello’s approval as the new ambassador may take a few weeks due to bureaucratic formalities, but the US Department of State has already said it approves his appointment.

Argüello will replace current ambassador to the US Alfredo Chiaradía.

The next Argentine ambassador in Washington is also known for his very aggressive worldwide campaign against the Falklands and claiming sovereignty rights over the Malvinas.