MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Kirchner-Lagos analyze common energy project

Argentine president Nestor Kirchner and his Chilean counterpart Ricardo Lagos meeting in Patagonia promised to overcome bilateral “inconveniences” caused by the regional energy crisis and agreed to a common policy in global affairs.

Mid morning Friday the presidents inaugurated the asphalt carpeting of a 54 kilometres stretch which will enable a faster link between the region's main cities, Rio Gallegos in Argentina with Punta Arenas in Chile.

"We don't want to look at Argentina as the problem, but rather as a solution", when facing the globalised world, said President Lagos.

"Both countries are preparing to access the globalised world in a big way, by the main door. I want to emphasize that our countries have a common destiny and we will be able to achieve it with effective and concrete actions such as the one we are here today celebrating", added the Chilean president.

In the past "we faced difficult moments, but we have now converged in democracy, in abiding human rights and we are now converging towards common goals of countries that want to grow, to develop, but we must make sure that growth and development reaches all and each of the regions. We don't want growth for some and poverty for others".

Chile which is highly dependent on Argentine gas has been exposed to supply cuts given the shortage of production in Argentina and the fact that the Kirchner administration favours domestic demand over exports.

Following the inauguration ceremony in Argentine territory the two delegations crossed to Chile where the presidents shared lunch and talked about a mega project to import natural gas from Peru to be distributed in Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay, all energy hungry countries.

President Kirchner said he felt positive about an understanding between several South American countries which should materialize in an energy agreement helping to solve the gas supply problem faced by the region, plus the fact it would enhance economic growth in Chile and Argentina.

"I'm sure that together with Chile, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay and hopefully in the near future with Bolivia, we'll be able to work out the possibility of setting up an energy grid that will give us the power we need to develop both our countries. Let's hope we can steam roll ahead", added stressed President Kirchner.

Regarding Peru's attitude towards the project, President Lagos said that he hoped the existing pipelines could be used to advance the provision of gas, "but naturally this has to be answered by the Peruvian authorities".