The majority of Argentines are not very interested in international issues. Priorities for Argentina’s foreign policy include deepening the institutionalization of the Union of South American Nations and strengthening regional alliances, such as the MERCOSUR regional trading bloc (UNASUR). Argentina is a member of the UN and held office on the UN Human Rights Council for three years, which ended in June 2011. Argentina has a long history of supporting UN peacekeeping operations, and as of late 2011, it was contributing over 700 peacekeeping personnel to the MINUSTAH mission in Haiti. Argentina has been a vocal advocate for nuclear non-proliferation efforts as a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors.
The Nestor Kirchner administration
The Nestor Kirchner administration always put domestic political concerns ahead of foreign policy. Because of the intense public opposition to the paper mills in Argentina, particularly in the province controlled by the ruling party, Entre Rios, which is located on the other side of the river from the plants, Kirchner initially adopted a tough stance in the dispute with Uruguay over the paper mills despite the harm to Mercosur and regional relations. Kirchner’s direct and severe condemnation of the United States during his speech at the Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata can only be understood in the light of Kirchner’s aim to pander to his leftist political base and the poor public opinion of the United States.
Although Kirchner was popular with the Argentine public, foreign businessmen did not support him because of his tough negotiating stance on Argentina’s private sector debt and his criticism of foreign companies that control large businesses that were privatized in the 1990s. Similar to this, Kirchner reduced Argentine gas exports to Chile in 2005 to make up for shortages in the domestic market despite Chile and local gas suppliers’ legal obligations.
President Nestor Kirchner lacked experience in international relations and frequently flouted conventions. With foreign dignitaries, Kirchner frequently makes blunders. Cristina Kirchner planned to spend more time shopping at their previous hotel when she left Russian leader Vladimir Putin waiting at the Moscow airport for a meeting that never occurred in June 2004.
Trade restrictions
It aims to get trade restrictions between its members removed. With a combined population of over 200 million, Mercosur is the second-largest market in the Americas and the fourth-largest integrated market in the world. NAFTA is the largest market in the world. The previous five years have seen a major increase in trade between Argentina and the other members (Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Venezuela). Tensions between Argentina and Uruguay rose as a result of their disagreement over the UPM (formerly Botnia) cellulose mill in Fray Bentos (on the Uruguayan bank of the River Uruguay). The International Court of Justice (ICJ) rendered a decision in the case Argentina brought against Uruguay in April 2010.
Soon after, the president of Uruguay, Mujica, declared that improving ties with Argentina is one of his top foreign policy priorities.
On a global scale, Argentina actively participates in commerce, counter-proliferation, sustainable development, and human rights. In May 2008, it was chosen to join the Human Rights Council. Up until the end of 2006, it was a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Argentine forces have participated in UN peacekeeping missions in a variety of places, including Haiti, Kosovo, the Middle East, and Cyprus. There is a police presence there in Darfur.
Argentina and the UK diplomatic relations
Argentina and the UK have a long history together. During the 19th century, British businesses were crucial to the growth of Argentina’s economy. British companies created and ran the railways, food processing facilities, and many financial services. Argentina was a large market for a wide variety of UK manufactured goods, and the UK was also a significant market for Argentine commodities. After an 8-year pause during the Falklands conflict, diplomatic relations resumed in 1990. Events were held in Stanley, London, and Argentina to mark the conflict’s 25th anniversary in 2007. Since 1990, discussions of South Atlantic issues have taken place with the Argentine government under the terms of a “sovereignty umbrella” agreement, which enables the UK and Argentina to maintain their respective positions on sovereignty while working to advance concrete issues of shared interest, like fisheries and demining.
The principle of self-determination, which is established in the UN charter, underpins the British Government’s position, and there are no questions regarding its authority over the Falkland Islands. According to the British Government, sovereignty talks cannot begin unless and until the residents of the Falkland Islands express a desire to do so. The British government is still dedicated to the Falkland Islanders’ right to self-determination. The Falkland Islands War’s 30th anniversary was on Tuesday, April 2, 2012. Argentina is heavily influenced by British culture, and there is a sizable Argentine-British population in and around Buenos Aires. In Chubut, Patagonia, there is a sizable Argentine-Welsh population that speaks Welsh.
