Stories for February 15th 2012
Brazil and Germany committed to achieve the EU/Mercosur trade agreement
Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota and his visiting German counterpart Guido Westerwelle on Monday called for signing a free trade agreement between the European Union and the South American trade bloc Mercosur.
UK Defence Select Committee plans to visit the Falklands next month
British lawmakers will visit the Falkland Islands next month in a move that is likely to heighten tensions between Britain and Argentina over the Islands, The Times reported on Wednesday.
Cameron rings Chilean president to discuss Falklands and self determination
Chilean president Sebastián Piñera received a surprise phone call at his summer residence on Tuesday afternoon from PM David Cameron who referred to the current Falklands dispute.
Red Ensign vessel unloads LNG in Argentina
In the midst of the diplomatic escalation between Argentina and the UK over the Malvinas dispute and the coming 30th anniversary of the Falklands conflict, a red ensign Liquefied Natural Gas Carrier (LNGC) docked in Argentina.
Argentina on the verge of “unprecedented energy shortage”, say former ministers
Argentina’s Energy Institute, IAE, warned that the country faces an “unprecedented energy crisis” with strong drops in hydrocarbons reserves, production and the loss of self sufficiency.
Argentine labour accuses CFK of “escalating repression” and endangering human rights policy
Argentina’s organized labour hit back at President Cristina Fernandez and expressed concern over what it described the “escalation” of government repression and hoped the country keeps to state policies of persuasion and unrestricted respect for human rights.
Dominica disassociates from barring Falklands’ flagged vessels from its ports
The Caribbean island nation of Dominica has joined Antigua and Barbuda in seeking to clear the air on an ALBA statement supporting Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands, in Buenos Aires dispute with Britain over the South Atlantic Islands.
Uruguay signs first hydrocarbons on-shore exploration contract with US company
Uruguay’s hydrocarbons refining company Ancap signed on Tuesday an agreement with US company Schuepbach Energy to begin exploration for oil and gas in the north and centre of the country.
Brazil and Paraguay soybean harvest forecast downgraded because of lack of rain
Oil World cut its forecast for Brazil and Paraguay soybean production, extending the run of downgrades amid ideas that rains in the last two weeks has been insufficient to put a hold on crop losses.
Brazil imposes extra levies on blanket imports from Uruguay and Paraguay
Brazil imposed additional levies on the import of blankets from Mercosur associates Paraguay and Uruguay alleging triangulation of Chinese textiles, which are restricted because of dumping practices.
