Argentina praised some of the “positive and favorable comments” by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank regarding the country’s social and economic agenda, regretting that certain media “downplay” such news.
The total fortune of the 15 wealthiest Argentines has been estimated at 26.85 billion dollars, falling just shy of the 27.679 billion dollars currently in the Central Bank’s foreign reserve account, according to a list of the country’s richest people published recently by the local edition of Forbes magazine.
Minister of Defense Agustín Rossi said Argentina has no conflict hypothesis regarding the Falklands/Malvinas Islands, strongly denying statements from a British newspaper which argued the UK was closely monitoring Argentina's investment in military procurement.
Argentina celebrated on Tuesday 25 February, the Argentine Antarctica Day, which recalls the 110 years of uninterrupted presence of the country in Antarctica and included among the many activities displayed the scientific research cruise of May 2013 in waters adjoining the South Georgia islands.
Spanish oil major Repsol's board approved on Tuesday in Madrid a definitive 5 billion dollars settlement from Argentina over assets seized in 2012, drawing a line under a two-year battle for compensation.
The Argentine ambassador to the United Kingdom, Alicia Castro, openly revealed her support for Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro as protests in the nation continued, while criticizing what she saw as a ferocious media attack carried out by opponents of the head of state.
The US embassy's business adviser in Buenos Aires, Kevin Sullivan, has welcomed negotiations between the Argentine government and Spanish corporation Repsol over the expropriation of YPF, as well as further talks with the Paris Club over the payment of outstanding debt commitments.
In a rally at the Buenos Aires province town of Florencio Varela, President Cristina Fernandez ratified Argentina’s “solidarity” with the Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro, as the fifth Mercosur full member continues to be caught up in a wave of violent protests that have claimed the lives of 6 so far.
Argentina’s balance of trade in January unveiled a small surplus of 35 million dollars, which represents a decrease of 88% comparing the same period in 2013. According to the government stats office, Indec, exports reached 5,3 billion dollars, a retraction of 8%, compared to the same month last year, while imports hit 5.1 billion, a downfall equal 4%, compared to January 2013.
The Argentine economy expanded 4.9% last year according to the official stats office Indec 'monthly economic growth indicator', EMAE, which is usually a good anticipation of the final figures. If confirmed Argentina will have grown uninterruptedly since the 2002 crisis, when the major default and melting of the economy.