MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Samper in Argentina updates Unasur agenda with Timerman

The former Colombian president also met with Cristina Fernandez

Unasur Secretary General Ernesto Samper in his first overseas official trip this week visited Argentina, where he met with President Cristina Fernandez and foreign minister Hector Timerman, and also held a round of political talks and other ministerial meetings.

Former Colombian president Samper last 11 September took office as secretary general of the Union of South American Nations, a political and defense block which includes all countries of the continent.

During the meeting in Buenos Aires at the Palacio San Martin seat of the Foreign Ministry, Samper and Timerman addressed the main issues of the Unasur agenda: social inclusion, economic development, financial stability and strengthening of the political role of the group.

According to the release from the Argentine ministry, Samper showed special interest in the issue of sovereign debts, its restructuring and the need for a formal legal framework to address the matter which has garnered international support, and “in which Argentina is playing a leading role”.

Likewise Samper reiterated the Unasur commitment with the Argentine sovereignty claim over the Falklands/Malvinas and other South Atlantic islands and their surrounding maritime spaces.

Later Samper met with members of congressional Foreign Affairs committees from both Houses and other directors from the different foreign affairs ministry offices.

The round of other ministries included: Justice; Social Development; Security; Labor; Defense and members of the Economy ministry team.