MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil underlines the “great political convergence” with Argentina in spite of trade differences

The two ladies know how to run the show says Foreign Affairs minister Patriota

Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota praised the “great political convergence” between Argentina and Brazil and assured that any existing problems related to the bilateral trade “do not tarnish this very strong reality.”

While speaking before the Brazilian Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, Patriota emphasized that both countries “share their concerns” about trade but these are being addressed by both governments as well as the private sectors.

“It’s a moment of great political convergence between two countries ruled by women who strongly defended their decision to pursue an agenda that promotes social justice, inclusion and economic growth in order to reduce inequality,” he argued.

According to Patriota the “understanding” between Cristina Fernández and Dilma Rousseff helps them find “constructive roads in order to strengthen a relationship that keeps becoming more and more intense” both bilaterally and multilaterally thanks to the Mercosur.

Patriota attributed the recent complaints related to Argentina’s trade barriers to such an intense relationship. He said, however, that both governments had decided not to allow “any situations arising from the trade sector to drive attention away from all the opportunities that such a political confluence has rendered and promises to offer.”

The minister praised the growing relationship between the private sectors of both countries and mentioned a recent meeting in Sao Paulo that involved 600 Argentine businessmen and members of more than 270 Brazilian companies.

Patriota also underlined that both Argentina and Brazil share the “growing concern” generated by international competition from Asian countries and particularly China.

“These are similar concerns facing a great common challenge”, remarked the Brazilian minister who anticipated that in coming weeks there will be a major ministerial summit in Buenos Aires covering the fields of agriculture and energy, so as to review the challenges of the bilateral and regional agendas.