Argentina says it has China's "firm support" to join BRICS

The Argentine Foreign Minister, Santiago Cafiero, said in a statement on Wednesday that he had received "firm support" from his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, for Argentina to join the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). 

Cafiero held a working meeting with Wang in the framework of the 77th General Assembly of the United Nations, where they discussed Argentina's entry into the BRICS and the most important issues on the bilateral agenda to "deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership that unites both countries". 

"Wang Yi remarked to Cafiero his country's firm support for Argentina's membership of the BRICS group, in line with what was agreed among the group's leaders," the Argentine statement said. 

Cafiero "thanked for the support" and pointed out that Argentina can contribute to amplifying the voice "in defence of the interests of the developing world and the global south, in a context of uncertainty and world polarisation" where the Foreign Minister considers that it is "essential to coordinate policies on energy and food security". 

Cafiero stressed that it is necessary to make progress in designing the next fifty years of China's relations not only with Argentina, but also with Latin America, by virtue of Argentina's pro tempore presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). 

The Foreign Ministers emphasised that it is necessary to continue working "firmly" within the framework of the Celac-China Action Plan 2022-2024, in the design and implementation of activities of particular interest to all members of this strategic relationship. 

In addition, Cafiero stressed the importance of promoting a more balanced and diversified bilateral trade between Argentina and China -currently the second largest trading partner and the second largest destination for Argentine exports-, and underlined the need to speed up market opening processes. 

The Argentine Foreign Minister also particularly acknowledged China's support for Argentina's position in the sovereignty dispute with the United Kingdom over the Malvinas Islands, through its interventions as a member of the Special Committee on Decolonisation, in particular the support expressed at the session held on 23 June.