Argentine authorities have officially informed the leaders of the BRICS member countries of their decision not to join the association, Argentine newspaper Clarin reported Friday, citing sources in the Argentine government.
“The government has sent letters with this information to the presidents of each of the BRICS countries to make official the decision made a few weeks ago,” the newspaper wrote.
Later, Argentine President Javier Milay confirmed the country’s refusal to join the association in official letters sent to the leaders of BRICS member countries.
“Some decisions taken by the previous government will be reconsidered. Among them is the creation of a specialized unit for the country’s active participation in BRICS,” Milei said in a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
“At this stage, Argentina’s accession to BRICS as a full member as of January 1, 2024, does not seem appropriate,” Miley added.
Milay, who came to power earlier this year, opposed Argentina’s accession to BRICS as early as during his election campaign. In late November, Diana Mondino, who was then set to take over as foreign minister, said that “Argentina will not join BRICS” because it could not make the contribution to join the BRICS New Development Bank.
Argentina, along with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, was invited to join the grouping as of January 1, 2024.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Buenos Aires with the newly elected President of Argentina Javier Millais. “I met with Javier Millais and congratulated him on his official inauguration as President of Argentina,” he wrote on his Telegram channel on Sunday evening.
“Today in the squares and streets of Buenos Aires, the word “freedom” – libertad – was heard very often. And this unites us – Ukraine and Argentina. We really value freedom, we really defend it, and we are really ready to strengthen freedom together,” Zelenskyy emphasized during his meeting with Javier Millais.
Argentina on Sunday, Nov. 19, elected libertarian Javier Miley, a committed radical to fixing the country’s deep economic crisis, as its new president, Reuters reported.
“According to official results, Miley won almost 56% against 44% for his rival, Peronist economy minister Sergio Massa,” the agency said in a statement.
It is noted that Miley promises to carry out shock therapy of the Argentine economy. He promises to close the central bank, abandon the peso and cut spending – potentially painful reforms that have resonated with voters angered by the economic crisis.
“Argentina’s new president will have to deal with empty government and central bank coffers, a $44 billion International Monetary Fund debt program, and inflation approaching 150%,” the agency stresses.
In addition, Reuters writes, a victory by Miley would change Argentina’s political landscape and economic scheme, and could affect trade in grain, lithium and hydrocarbons. In addition to all this, Miley criticizes China and Brazil, saying he will not deal with “communists” and favors stronger ties with the United States.
The BRICS member states have decided to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE to join the organization, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday.
“We have decided to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE to become full members of BRICS,” Ramaphosa said in a speech at the BRICS summit.
The membership of these countries will become official on January 1, 2024, the South African leader explained.
Argentine Economy Minister Sergio Masa said work on the establishment of a joint Argentine-Brazilian currency will begin as early as this week, the Argentine press reported.
“There is a decision to start studying the parameters necessary to create a common currency, this concerns everything from taxation issues to the size of the economies and the role of central banks,” Masa said in a conversation with Argentine journalists.
“The goal is to give impetus to regional trade and reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar,” the minister added.
“We have to explore the mechanisms of commercial integration. I am not going to speak with false expectations, because this is only the first step in the long journey that Latin America must take,” Masa stressed.
However, the project initiated by Argentina and Brazil is not limited to these two countries. Other countries in the region may join the initiative in the future.
The idea of creating a common currency for the two countries was voiced at a recent meeting between the presidents of Argentina and Brazil, Alberto Fernandez and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Mass celebrations were held in the capital of Argentina after the national team won the FIFA World Cup final, the Spanish-language media reported.
Tens of thousands of people dressed in blue and white with flags in their hands and on their shoulders gathered on the streets of Buenos Aires. The main gathering place was Republic Square, where one of the main landmarks, the Obelisk, is located.
Central streets were filled with fans a few minutes after the final whistle. The crowd sang, danced and chanted the name of the national team captain – Lionel Messi. In addition, the fans unfurled banners, in particular with the image of the legend of Argentine soccer Diego Maradona.
In the center of Buenos Aires motorists actively honked in support of the team, the subway in the city center was closed, and public transport stopped working, so those wishing to celebrate the victory moved around the city on foot.
Argentine fans who came to Qatar for the World Cup also celebrated loudly. After the match, the national team players rode an open-topped bus through the streets. They were accompanied by a motorcade of security personnel and mounted police. The fans cheered, applauded and applauded them.
Argentina captain Messi said after the match that he “can’t wait to be in Argentina and see all this madness.” “It wasn’t easy for us, but we made it,” he added.
The day before, Argentina defeated France in the World Cup final.
