MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine ambassador presents her letters of credence to President Obama

Ambassador Nahón is an economist and an expert in trade affairs

The Argentine ambassador to the United States, Cecilia Nahón, presented on Tuesday her letters of credence to President Barack Obama, who said he hoped both countries would remain committed to a fruitful joint work with President Cristina Fernández in the G20.

The ceremony took place in the White House, where she tendered her credentials to Obama along with a letter outlining the bilateral agenda.

Both nations praised the “cooperation links based on shared interests and principles like promoting democratic values, respect and universal protection of human rights, economic growth with inclusion, commitment to international peace and security in the framework of the United Nations” the Argentine government said in a brief release.

Ambassador Nahon said that Argentina is an attractive market for US businesses and investment with over 500 US corporations involved in the country. Likewise US exports in the last decade to Argentina expanded 17%, double the rest of the world average (8.5%) and “a more balanced bilateral trade would be an encouraging signal”.

Ms Nahón was head of International Economic Relations secretary at the Economy ministry and replaced Jorge Argüello, who was appointed as Ambassador to Portugal. She is a member of the Cenda think-tank (Centre of Studies for the Development of Argentina), from which have come some of the members of President Cristina Fernandez administration.

The new ambassador played an active part in the defence of Argentine protectionist measures strongly criticized by other members of the World Trade Organization. She is also part of the team that regularly negotiates trade issues with Brazil. She joined the current Argentine administration in 2010 and is a personal friend of Axel Kicillof, Deputy Economy minister who has a growing influence in the Cristina Fernandez government.

Ms Nahon has an Economics degree from the University of Buenos Aires; a Master in Economic Development from the London School of Economics and was a professor at the Latinamerican faculty of Social Sciences, FLASCO.