In Buenos Aires, Mogherini praises Argentina's reforms

On 9 March Federica Mogherini i was on the first official visit ever of a High Representative to Argentina. She met political leaders and members of the Argentine business community. During the day Mogherini also paid her respects at the "Monumento a las victimas del terrorismo de estado" which commemorates those who died during the "dirty war" in the 1970's.

The purpose of her meeting with President Macri she said, was to inject more energy into the EU-Argentine relationship. She also extended an invitation from Presidents Tusk and Juncker for President Macri to visit Brussels.

Speaking at a press conference with Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra, Mogherini said she would take back a message of confidence on the reforms the new Argentinian Government was undertaking and what it was doing to reconnect and build bridges with the region and with the world. Argentina can be an "excellent partner" in EU foreign policy, Mogherini said, and the European Investment Bank was interested in investing in the country, with special focus on Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs), job creation especially for young people and climate change.

On Mercosur, she hoped there would be positive developments soon, which would be beneficial for bilateral relations and between the EU and Mercosur.

EU-Argentine business ties were also stressed in meetings with the business community in the "Eurocamera" network.