(VOVworld) – Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner begins an official visit to Russia on Wednesday. Besides the announced aim of paying a reciprocal visit after Russian President’s visit to Argentina last July, there are other considerations. Argentina wants to build closer relations with Russia to improve its military strength for the sovereignty dispute with the UK over the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands. Argentina is an important country in Russia’s plan to spread its influence in Latin America.
 |
| The presidents of Russia and Argentina signed various agreements, including one on nuclear energy, when the Russian president visited. Argentina in July 2014 (Photo: latinpost.com) |
During the 2-day visit President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss measures to promote multi-faceted cooperation, particularly in nuclear energy. Analysts say national defense will be the focus of their meeting.
Reinforcing military cooperation
The Russian Defense Ministry said Russia and Argentina agreed to increase their military cooperation at a meeting between their defense officials on the sideline of the 4th International Security Conference in Moscow last week.
Last July President Putin and President Kirchner discussed several important issues including military and defense cooperation. Russia pledged to broaden cooperative fields and train military personnel for Latin American countries and Argentina.
Russia plans to sell or lease 12 Sukhoi Su-24 supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft to Argentina. In return, Argentina will supply wheat, meat, and other farm produce to Russia. Besides boosting bilateral trade ties, Russia and Argentina are expected to sign military equipment contracts to become strategic partners in security and national defense.
Mutual benefits
Russian-Argentinean relations have never been strained but have seen only limited progress. Argentina has not attracted much big investment from Russia and Russia has not been a major export market for Argentina.
Facing the West’s sanctions, Russia has a strong motive to expand its export market to Latin America. Trade relations with Latin American countries like Argentina with needed farm produce will help Russia minimize the sanctions’ impact. Russia’s military support for Argentina, particularly air power over the Malvinas, is seen as a message to the UK, who has been leading the pressure against the Russian economy.
Argentina and the UK have been engaged in a long dispute over Malvinas (Falkland) islands. Argentina says it has a right to the islands, which it calls the Malvinas, because it inherited them from the Spanish crown in the early 1800s. Britain sets its case on its long-term administration of the Falklands since 1830.
In 1982 Argentina launched an operation to retake the islands but failed when the UK counter-attacked to maintain its control. Argentina’s current decision to increase its military budget in 2015 has worried the UK. About 1,500 British soldiers are stationed on the islands. Argentina’s possession of Russian aircrafts will pose a bigger threat. If an operation like the one in 1982 occurs, the UK will be at a disadvantage because of the proximity of Argentina to the islands. The UK has also announced a military budget increase to reinforce its army in the Falklands.
Both the US and the UK have concerns about closer relations between Russia and Latin American countries. Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner’s visit to Russia marks a Russian pivot to Latin America, which poses potential challenges to the US and western Europe.