Recent incidents and sightings involving yachts in Antarctic waters have generated considerable interest and concern among the members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).
Repsol’s Chairman Antonio Brufau said the Spain-based group will demand to Argentina a compensation of 10 billion dollars after President Cristina Fernández decided to nationalize the energy giant. Likewise, Brufau accused the Argentine government of “having distorted information” on regards the company’s production during Monday’s presentation.
Argentina accused Spain's Repsol oil company on Tuesday of hiding the true value of its Argentine YPF unit and said a thorough review of its books after seizing control of its offices will affect the compensation paid to its shareholders.
Fitch Ratings has placed Repsol YPF, SA's ratings on Rating Watch Negative (RWN) following news that YPF takeover has been set in motion by the Argentine government.
The Brazilian economy is set to grow 3% in 2012 after the modest 2.7% of last year, but following the relaxation of monetary policy it runs the risk of ‘overheating’, according to the IMF World Economic Outlook, WEO.
Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel García-Margallo warned on Tuesday that “Argentina has just shot itself in the foot” as the expropriation of YPF oil and gas company might lead to “a break- up with both Spain and the international community.”
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was “very concerned” at President Cristina Fernández announcement to expropriate YPF, a decision he believes “goes against all the commitments Argentina has made in the G20 to promote transparency and reduce protectionism.”
A preparatory meeting for a Ministers of Defence of the Americas Conference to be held in the second half of the year concluded in Montevideo with no inclusion of the Malvinas Islands dispute in the final declaration because of lack of agreement among the participants.
Argentina and Brazil agreed to work on a common defence agenda underlining the importance of strengthening Unasur and working to ensure that Latin America is a peace zone thus sending a strong message to the UK on the Falklands/Malvinas issue.
Bolivian president Evo Morales clearly took distance from Argentina’s expropriation of YPF, the Argentine affiliate of Spain’s Repsol which was announced on Monday and caused a major rift between Argentina and Spain and the European Commission.