Stories for April 17th 2012

Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 21:41 UTC
IMF says investment climate in Argentina unpredictable; EC cancels bilateral meeting

The European Commission called off a meeting with officials in Argentina after President Cristina Fernández revealed plans to expropriate 51% of YPF from its mother corporation Spain’s Repsol.
Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 20:04 UTC
IMF estimates less growth (3.5%) and higher prices (7.4%) for Uruguay in 2012

Uruguay growth estimate has been downed for 2012 while prices will be higher, according to the latest IMF World Economic Outlook released on Tuesday. The economy is set to grow 3.5% down from 4.2% while prices will climb to 7.4% compared to the 6.5% estimate of the previous WEO last September.
Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 19:48 UTC
Royal Gibraltar Regiment takes over ceremonial duties at Buckingham Palace

The Royal Gibraltar Regiment has left its base on the Rock to take up ceremonial duties in London. It is only the second time that the regiment has performed public duties in London taking over from the Coldstream Guards at the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Monday 16 April.
Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 19:36 UTC
New Zealand seat of fifth conservation conference of albatrosses and petrels

The Fifth International Conference on the Biology and Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (IAPC5) will be held in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa on the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand over the period Monday 13 to Friday 17 August 2012.
Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 19:32 UTC
Falklands 30th anniversary will focus on remembering the 1982 legacy of sacrifice

A Foreign and Commonwealth Minister a front bench spokesperson from the Labour Party and a representative from the Conservative Party will be among VIP guests at the June Falkland Islands 30th commemorations.
Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 07:07 UTC
Mexico appeals to CFK: nobody in its right mind invests in countries that expropriates

Mexican president Felipe Calderón and G-20 group head, said that Argentina’s plan to seize a majority stake in Repsol’s Argentine branch YPF is “very regrettable” and called on President Cristina Fernandez to reconsider and rectify the decision.
Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 06:58 UTC
Chavez supports nationalization of YPF; offers Venezuela’s experience in the matter

Argentine president Cristina Fernandez received late Monday the first international support for her announced takeover of YPF from the Spanish corporation Repsol: the Venezuelan government and President Hugo Chavez, revealed the Foreign Affairs ministry.
Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 06:52 UTC
Chile’s Enap, a partner of Repsol, “so we are also involved in the YPF dispute”

The Chilean government reacted with concern at the announcement by Argentina of a bill to expropriate 51% of the oil company YPF from Spain’s Repsol, since this will have a direct impact for Chile, said on Monday evening the Executive Secretary General Andres Chadwick.
Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 03:43 UTC
US/Brazil discuss energy cooperation and closer economic ties even free trade agreement

Cooperation in energy development, closer economic ties including a free trade agreement and praise for Brazil’s economic and political leadership were some of the issues discussed by visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her first day of meetings with Brazilian officials.
Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 03:38 UTC
US on YPF takeover: ”Having an open competitive market is a preferable model”

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Argentina will have to justify and assume the responsibilities of its decision regarding the YPF dispute between Argentina and Spain, but at the same time defended models that include competition and market access.