Argentina and UK agreed to disagree on the Falklands/Malvinas question, but coincided that the issue should not be an obstacle for the development of a wider positive agenda. Furthermore the two countries agreed on the need to identify possible areas of cooperation in the South Atlantic, such as exploitation of natural resources, and connectivity between the continent and the Islands.
Brazil shuffled its sports leadership team again on Thursday, just 85 days before the games arrive in Rio de Janeiro. The announcement came after vice president Michel Temer took over as the new acting president amid deep political turmoil. The previous president Dilma Rousseff was forced to temporarily resign following a Congressional vote to begin an impeachment trial against her for breaking budgetary laws.
Uruguay's foreign minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa said on Thursday that all agriculture products are included in negotiations for a wide ranging trade and cooperation agreement between Mercosur and the European Union. The chief negotiator for Mercosur underlined that contrary to what was announced by some media, beef and ethanol are included in the proposals exchanged on Wednesday in Brussels between the two blocks.
Britain reiterated interest in strengthening relations with Argentina in areas of mutual interest, but also underlined London's position regarding the Falkland Islands remains unchanged, while from Stanley, the Falklands' elected government expressed its willingness to explore a potential cooperation with the Argentine government.
Suspended Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff called the impeachment a ‘coup’, the result of a fraudulent process that ignores the 54 million people who voted for her, but vowed to keep fighting hours after on early Thursday, the Senate voted in favor of her impeachment trial.
After 20 hours of debate, a clear majority in the Brazilian Senate voted on early Thursday morning to suspend Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, an action that removes her temporarily from office and sees her replaced by interim vice-president Michel Temer during her impeachment trial, which in 180 days could see her successor become full president until January 2019.
British Overseas Territory St. Helena achieved a major milestone on Tuesday when Air Safety Support International (ASSI) issued an Aerodrome Certificate to brand new St Helena Airport - having been satisfied that the Airport infrastructure, aviation security measures and air traffic control service complies with international aviation safety and security standards. This follows a final inspection of the Airport by an ASSI team last month.
Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and the Foreign Affairs Minister of Uruguay Rodolfo Nin Novoa, on Wednesday exchanged EU and Mercosur offers on access to their respective markets of goods, services and establishment and government procurement. However this first exchange excluded 'sensitive' items such as beef and ethanol, according to EU sources. The details of the documents exchanged were not made public.
Argentina's foreign minister Susana Malcorra will be in London this Thursday to attend a global summit on combating corruption, and is expected to meet with her peer Philip Hammond, and probably address the Falklands issue, according to Argentine official sources. Malcorra is accompanied by Fulvio Pompeo, Secretary for Strategic Affairs from Argentina's presidency, and a very close advisor to president Mauricio Macri.
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo underlined on Wednesday the importance of remaining in a reformed European Union, stronger, safer and better off, both for the UK and Gibraltar. The joint statement comes ahead of the June 26 Brexit vote, which for Overseas Territories a 'Leave' victory could be 'catastrophic', according to statements from Gibraltar and Falklands' representatives