“The President has set important guideposts in the short period since he took office,” the Chancellor said. This made it possible for Argentina to open up again to the rest of the world, she stressed. During the President’s first official visit to Germany the Chancellor praised recent developments in Argentina.

Open to trade deal

Merkel underlined that the German government was open to negotiating a trade deal between the EU and MERCOSUR, the South American trade bloc whose full members are Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela. The Chancellor emphasised that Germany’s relations with South America would not change once the United Kingdom had left the EU.

Focussing on economic cooperation

The Chancellor praised the process of economic reforms the Argentinian government had initiated under President Macri. Applying market economy principles to the energy sector, for instance, had been tough on those on low incomes. It would, however, pay off in the medium and long run, especially in terms of creating new jobs and new opportunities for young people, the Chancellor said.

Angela Merkel promised President Macri Germany’s support. “German firms that have been doing business in Argentina for a long time can also provide help in the field of vocational training, for instance,” she said. The German government would support Argentina when it came to modernising its infrastructure, in the agriculture sector and expanding renewable energies, Merkel added.

Invitation to G20 summit

Chancellor Merkel invited President Macri to the next G20 summit in Germany. “We will be cooperating closely on that too,” she stated. The President said: “We have to work as a team. Global threats such as organised crime and terrorism are other important areas.”

Germany and Argentina established official relations back in 1857. Argentina is Germany’s third most important trade partner in South America after Brazil and Mexico. Just under 5 per cent of all Argentinian imports come from Germany. And Germany imports commodities and agricultural products from Argentina, and is the largest importer of Argentinian beef in the EU.

This morning President Macri was received by the Federal President Joachim Gauck. He also met with Federal Economics Minister Sigmar Gabriel. This afternoon the President will meet Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.