MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina and Chile presidents pledge to increase border crossings

Cristina Fernandez received Michelle Bachelet in her first overseas trip since taking office last March

President Cristina Fernández received on Monday her Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet and discussed the re-launching of the Maipú Agreement -signed in 2009- to increase the links between the two countries and boost regional commerce with Asia.

 The Argentine head of state said both governments plan to “double border crossings” and referred to two projects, the Agua Negra crossing and Aconcagua transoceanic railway.

It is necessary to double the number of entry points between the two nations “during the entire year,” Bachelet added, alluding to the traffic problems that arise in winter at the existing passes due to heavy snowfall.

The Maipú accord also included strengthening coordination between the two countries' local authorities to improve infrastructure not only in terms of transportation but also in the areas of energy and communications.

“Connectivity is crucial to our economies' competitiveness, in order to take our goods towards the most dynamic region of the world in terms of commerce, which is Asia” underlined Cristina Fernandez.

Bachelet in turn said ”Chile sees itself as a port and bridge for the rest of the region to reach the Pacific” and made a call to “complete tasks left unfinished” by the two countries.

The Chilean president arrived in Buenos Aires on Sunday night for the meeting held in Government House, in her first official engagement abroad since being elected for a second term in La Moneda Presidential Palace.

The visit aims to strengthen ties with Argentina, and to negotiate a commercial agreement between the Mercosur bloc and the Pacific Alliance.